'to the memory of those massacred at the Somme' <br /> <br />What sunrise set before those young men fell? <br />Facing insurmountable odds they squelched <br />through mud to fight a pointless bloody campaign, <br />because 'the enemy' was there. <br /> <br />The Generals safe in tents gave orders, <br />and returned to coffee and cigars. <br />They weren't overly concerned as they were <br />following orders too from 'higher up' - where <br />in cosy carpeted rooms old men in morning <br />suits sent despatches, tapped their pipes, <br />and refilled them. <br /> <br />The King in his castle secure and whisky warm, <br />telephoned his Minister for War. <br />'How goes it at the Somme? ' <br />The answer was succinct and like the colour grey. <br />'As well as can be expected, Sir', <br />'Our casualties? ' the King enquired. <br />'Considerable, Sir.' <br />'Oh? ' was all the King could say. <br /> <br />Meanwhile at the Somme, <br />their bodies soaked in mud, and blood and rain, <br />420,000 unsung heroes died.<br /><br />jerry hughes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/unsung-heroes-5/
