'Jack fell as he'd have wished,' the mother said, <br />And folded up the letter that she'd read. <br />'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something broke <br />In the tired voice that quavered to a choke. <br />She half looked up. 'We mothers are so proud <br />Of our dead soldiers.' Then her face was bowed. <br /> <br />Quietly the Brother Officer went out. <br />He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies <br />That she would nourish all her days, no doubt <br />For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes <br />Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy, <br />Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy. <br /> <br />He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine, <br />Had panicked down the trench that night the mine <br />Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried <br />To get sent home, and how, at last, he died, <br />Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care <br />Except that lonely woman with white hair.<br /><br />Siegfried Sassoon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-hero-7/
