Quo vadis et ego rogabo

THE POET'S TALE

Early one Sunday morning, 4th. July 1976, I was walking, alone, along a road near Zonnebeke, West Flanders, Belgium, when I encountered

an English clergyman.  When we spoke, he said to me "Quo Vadis" - so demonstrating his knowledge of Latin.  

" I'm bound for Tyne Cot Cemetery"  I told him.  He seemed surprised that I understood his question.

He explained to me that he had just visited the cemetery himself and, for a while, we exchanged views on the horror of the First World War.  

He then asked me if I had anyone at Tyne Cot.        I replied to him  "Yes  -  all of them".

                                                                                                                                                                     ASJ,  July 4th. 2016

This poem is dedicated to 75580 Pte. Frank Stanley Jeeves (1894-1961), Tank Corps (Machine Gun Corps),

who survived the 1914-18 conflict, and also to his 5.5 million comrades who, alas, did not.

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Quo Vadis ask I

Upon this sabbath day;

To Hell, you reply,

Won't you show me the way.

Walk with me a while

And my tale I will tell,

It's many a long mile

But a path I know well.

You're a soldier, I note,

From your bullet holes,

Though you don't have the vote

You have killed many souls;

So young, you may be,

I assent this is true -

I'm a general, you see,

I've killed more than you.

I'll kill men I know

Ere this grim day ends;

I'll vanquish the foe,

Sacrificing my friends.

I'll demand Who goes there,

As I shy from a bomb,

I'll make war from my chair

This black day on the Somme.

I'll send you to fight

(As bold as I am)

I'll send you, all right,

I'll not give a damn.

I'll command you to shoot

As you storm through the mud...

I won't give a hoot,

I just won't see the blood.

I'll dispatch you to kill,

You'll go over the top;

I'll send you at will

Because I'll never stop.

I'll commit you to strive,

As you charge through the rain;

If you come back alive

Then I'll send you again.

Now your own end is nigh -

Your last moments on earth.

Your cross I'll supply

As that's all you are worth.

So, heed my words well

When I pledge you this oath...

I'll greet you in hell

For there's room for us both.

                                ASJ