The Reason Why Poem by Frederick Nellist

Almost four years now, I'm weary and tired
This old rifle of mine too many times fired
Killing and wounding I just can't keep count
Remind me someone what this war's all about.

Tommy fights Fritz our hosts are the French
My home has long been a water logged trench
Machine guns firing an obscene death rattle
Tell me General who is winning this battle?

Thousands of craters, small swimming pools
Reluctant heroes in khaki being led by fools
Fix bayonets lads and charge no mans land
My mate goes down but I can't take his hand.

Please tell me politician who counts the cost?
Would it be you or the loved ones we've lost?
If four long years ago and you could predict
Would your conscience embrace this conflict?

I don't have a quarrel with this man called foe
Would it be flowers not hand grenades I throw
How long then must I spend in this foreign field
Before a lasting peace can be signed and sealed?