Waterloo Teeth Poem by Sheena Blackhall

At the peak of their powers, from London to Leith
They died in their dozens, brave, coward and thief
But to sufferers with toothache each man did bequeath
A prize beyond measure, his Waterloo teeth

They battled Napoleon, so strong their belief
In the magic of Wellington, idol and chief
And fell on that blood-sodden, miserable heath
Each man with a full set of Waterloo teeth

No maiden to mourn them, no fond mother's wreath
Too far from their homeland, beyond pain and grief
In battle-lines tumbled, above and beneath
Those rows of impeccable Waterloo teeth

Oh denture restorers from Croydon to Crieff
From Montrose to Manchester, Troon, Cowdenbeath
Yanked out from the gums of each scythed human sheaf
Of soldiers, those wonderful Waterloo teeth!