FOR THE SAKE OF EXAMPLE
He woke to the sound of a far distant gun
Corporal said softly ‘you ready old son?’
He gave him a drink, it didn’t taste right
They stood quietly waiting, until it was light.
The Padre came in, looking sombre and sad
He muttered low words that were lost on the lad
The others stood stiffly, then moved to the door
He still wasn’t certain what all this was for.
They took him outside as the fingers of dawn
Spread over the courtyard so sad and forlorn
He saw them, his comrades, all standing in line
Not one if them looked at him, or gave him a sign.
They pinned a white rag on, they gave him a chair
His comrades stood ready, cruel shots filled the air
So back to the trenches, more terror to sample
He’s dead, they knew why, for the sake of example.
They had all watched him die, in a foreign land
A warning to others from the High Command.
Author Unknown
If you are the author of this poem, or you know who is the author, please send me an email using the link below. I wish to give full credit to whoever wrote this fantastic prose.