Lessons of War.

This was inspired by the classroom scene in the film version of ‘All Quiet on the Western Front.’

Lessons of War.

Back before Christmas, I told them,
in the classroom, before they left home.
Your country needs, you!
I pointed, at young Thomas Ross,
his face, flushed red, and you,
and you, at Clarke and Smith.

At Clarke and Smith, whose speed and strength
had graced the first fifteen
so freely they gave their attention,
their faces etched with enthusiasm.
not fear, but adventure, at the end of term.
All three, they listened, intent.

They listened, intent, and I sent them
Clarke and Smith and Ross.
They shook my hand and departed,
I watched as they marched to the station,
I waved and I cheered with pride,
as they disappeared in the steam.

As they disappeared, in the steam
like the hundreds that followed behind them
until now, I’m alone in the classroom
with their voices echoing round me,
Clarke, and Smith, and Ross.
Too late for the lessons of war

Tags: Creative writing, Lessons of war, Military History, Odd Odes, Poems, Poetry, Poetry Blog, War poetry, Writing