A Long Pause For A Lost Cause.

• Matthew Herbig, Grade 10
• Poetry
• 2007

When they rang the conscription bell,
Every man knew he was going to hell;
Why fight when you know your life will end,
Living so well, taking a torturing bend.

Lie awake with bloodshot eyes,
Hear the screams and howls at night;
To watch it all, and see it die,
Feeling the pain and thrills of fright.
Hushed voices display the terrifying darkness.
Agonising shivers, replaced by the numbness.

War isn’t beautiful,
But the soldiers are.