The air is thick
Below battles lights
With an old decay
Of body parts
Cordite and chlorine
Burnt earth and latrines
All around
Madness screams.
The rockets, the flares
Pinpoint the lines
Advancing men
Officers lies
Following orders
Young men go on
To fall and fall
This bitter sin.
Daylight breaks
To each shell hole
Men half drunk
No longer whole
Shaking hands
Write letters home
Staring eyes
Each alone.