War Cry. Poem by Fay Slimm

Fortune or choice deemed as soldiers brave lads,
who from some mother's knee went fast into war.
Devotion to orders meant duly imposing
battle rules no boy had heard of before.

Bright self esteem was taught first as a need,
Still wet behind ears they donned uniform pride,
Honour reigned high but became much misused
as one youth on another keeled over, and died.

How many sweetheats and mothers regretted
waving large banners that sent them away
Into inferno, - - - - - - - - and end of an era
that never would use or return them again.

Remembering war victims from the first
world war onwards. - - - - January 2010.