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Lions
by
Gary Westwood
"Lions led by donkeys".
The Kaiser's words, not mine.
British Tommy Atkins,
stands firm to hold the line.
In mud and filth and mustard gas,
of food and love deprived,
he soldiered on regardless
until his end arrived.
Death came in many guises
from bullet, gas and shell,
some would say it's better
than that stinking, living hell.
Not once the orders questioned
when told he must advance
just climb the wooden ladder,
to cross the mud of France.
The Donkeys urged him onward
to walk and not to run,
he made a better target
for the rifles' of the Hun.
Thick mud would soon consume him
his mortal wounds unseen,
one more Lion butchered
in a war that's so obscene.
When the slaughter's over,
the abattoir closed down,
spare a thought for Lions
not coming back to town.
Reflect upon the Donkeys,
the ones well out of range.
Would outcomes have been different
if their positions changed?
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