War - Ww1 - The Runner Poem by Paul Warren

The heavy barrage had come down
The explosions made a deafening sound
The troops kept to the trench line
Keeping safe whilst it lasted a long time

The hate of the guns continued for the wearying hours
Cutting the phone lines with its communication powers
It became quite clear to the battalion commander
An attack was in the offing as the German charter

With the phone lines down there was only one way
A runner to take back the message to the rear to say
They would need support in the coming attack
If they were over run there would be no going back

He was called for along the line and made his way
To the battalion dugout as the trench was blown away
This message is important and you need to get through
He steeled himself taking his rifle and knowing what to do

Out of the trench he sprinted from the trench away
The explosions quite near in a deafening spray
There were parts of the line that had a German breach
It seemed like the headquarters goal was out of reach

Then he heard the guttural German voices ahead
He dived into a shell hole pretending he was dead
The German patrol marched toward and over him
It was more a nightmare as they passed than a dream

He had to stay still for an hour as they rested nearby
Until they stood up and left marching to the western sky
So he continued on through the dangerous ground
Delivering the message in time then for his mates bound

He went back to his battalion with the reserve men
And they stood hardy whilst the German attack came in
They had to bear terrible losses as frontline troops
And for his efforts a mention in despatches his scoop.

© Paul Warren Poetry