Uncoffined

Mother, I’ve reached my limit
Witnessed the horror of war
I stepped forth to fight for my country
With honour and pride in my heart
I left all belongings behind me
Kissed goodbye to all those I loved
Never a doubt that I would return to them
Alone, I will die in the dark

I will join my comrades
These men I knew from home
Now sunken into this cursed earth
Uncoffined, we rot in the dirt

I left my home to make you proud
I fought to protect those I loved
I never knew a woman’s touch
Never a child of my own
As these bullets will riddle me
Always, my thoughts are of home
I never dreamt that I would die so far from you
Unmarked; I am metal and bone

I will die a number
Unknown within the slaughter
Unknown

I stand in a cyclone of hellfire
All life ever known is consumed
I’ve seen the true nature of humankind
Civilisation is but a facade
Doused with the blood of my brothers
Corpses litter the ground at our feet
This trench holds the life and the death of me
Rifles clutched as we meet our defeat

To battle

I will die a number
Unknown within the slaughter
Over the top

I left my home to make you proud
I fought to protect those I loved
I never knew a woman’s touch
Never a child of my own
As these bullets will riddle me
Always, my last thoughts were of home
I never dreamt that I would die so far from you
Uncoffined, I die here alone

The horror!