Poem -
Innocence
Innocence was only seventeen,
Who went to war one day.
A bayonet and a gun he had,
And a butcher bill to pay.
He'd play a tune on the go,
One his mates already know.
It's in the air and everywhere,
With that bugle he did blow.
I'm calling, I'm calling,
As we march on today.
I'm calling, I'm calling,
For there is Hell to pay.
In the dire muddy trenches,
Amidst artillery that wouldn't stop.
Suddenly a shrill whistle blown,
Innocence went over the top.
Bullets so cruelly filled the air,
Old and young were not spared.
Endless Innocence among them,
In death's tragedy all now shared.
The first casualty of war is innocence.
The second casualty of war is the truth.
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Comments
Agreed. Tragic. Shame on the influences which convinced these kids to war... No place for children... Love this tribute. Awesome poetry Shaun
Max many thanks my friend for your kind comments and that war like all war's is sheer hell and madness for everyone regardless of age.
Thanks again Max and simply enjoy life and all the good it has to offer.
Very powerfulÂ
Greg many thanks for your kind comment and taking the time to read too.
And as I say, it is heart-breaking to write something like this in the first place.
And it beggars the question is that will we ever learn as species from past history and ignorant murderous mistakes of vast human folly.
Thanks again Greg and I wish you and all the loved ones around well and a long life.
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Oh god Shaun..made me cry. Babies...just babies!!! Touching write Shaun and full of truths. Makes you wonder in the state of mind at the time. How could they enroll these children??
mindboggling!! Hugs X
Marion you write and clarion it so well and apt and I hear you loud and clear.
Like I say it is a shame to write in the first place and will we ever learn from past errors of human avarice and folly and learn in life, regardless of borders, religion and a myriad of other so called human issues and finally learn simply how to get along and respect/love each other.
Time will tell eventually.
Thanks again Marion and may God Bless and Keep you I wish you well my poetic penfriend.
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Greg many thanks to you for liking, pinning and for taking the time to read this humble poem sir.
And hopefully one day we can all just simply get along without looking over our shoulders in fear of one and other.
I wish you well and all the loved ones around you and thank you again.
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Aye, learned the lesson forty years ago, when taking classes Poetry of WW1 with Professor Dominic Baker-Smith (sadly deceased four years ago). I still have much difficulty crossing the line Verdun-Reims in France. I still avoid all war movies... Good write🙏👌
John, thank you for your kind comment and with regards to WW1 poetry it can sometimes read as a mixed bag for very few are from the heart ,so many are sabre rattling and so nationalistic echoing the public's pulse to crush the enemy whatever the cost and how that viewpoint drastically changed as that bloody war mercilessly progressed.
Thanks again John and wish you well sir and enjoy and treasure life.
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Aye, I remember a lot of Jingoistic blabla. However, the ones written in the trenches stick to my memory. I understand that sometimes we must wage war to avoid future problems, but I am glad that all the use the Dutch Army had for me (some 40 years ago) was being a telephone operator (in those days all boys from 18-21 had to do 14 months of Army service if you were considered able to - a practice that was stopped early in the Nineties of the last century).