Richard Ball, 'In a Flanders' Garden'
In a Flanders' Garden
Attention!
Regimented,
Row upon row,
Uniform in dress white,
Guarding a parade ground
Below our tread.
They know nothing
Of the spring of the lawn,
The exuberance of the flowers.
And what can we understand
Of their experience?
Bombarded by the sights,
Sounds and stench of battle,
Others’ groans and screams
Defeated the generals’ plans,
Reinforced their terror.
Former comrades-in-arms,
Social beings,
Thinking and feeling,
Now decaying soldiers
Known unto God.
By Richard Ball
Attention!
Regimented,
Row upon row,
Uniform in dress white,
Guarding a parade ground
Below our tread.
They know nothing
Of the spring of the lawn,
The exuberance of the flowers.
And what can we understand
Of their experience?
Bombarded by the sights,
Sounds and stench of battle,
Others’ groans and screams
Defeated the generals’ plans,
Reinforced their terror.
Former comrades-in-arms,
Social beings,
Thinking and feeling,
Now decaying soldiers
Known unto God.
By Richard Ball