FOR THE MANY 1914-18

TRENCHES

Rain + mud gave way for sludge / slime,

everytime,

and sleet and snow

and carrion crow

and rat.

rats ate the dead meat

that lay at feet

and stench

that sweet sickly stench

of dead horses, mules and men

( as true as Death within the butchers' shops )

and black, buzzing clouds, swarms

of flies feasted where they died

and white faces,

faces you've never seen

shocked beyond belief.

lice.

        2 feet of water, (rising )

pitiful screams, too many to help, everywhere

some took hours to die.

shell shattered earth.

and DEATH.

that was trench warfare,

I swear.

JAMES REID