Holding the flimsy message in his hand While through your heart the fiery question thrilled "Wounded or killed, which, which?"--and it was "Killed--" And in a kind of trance have read it, numb But conscious that the dreaded hour was come, No dream this dream wherewith your blood was chilled-- Oh brothers in calamity, unknown Companions in the order of black loss, Lift up your hearts, for your are not alone, And let our sombre hosts together bring Their sorrows to the shadow of the Cross And learn the fellowship of suffering. War and Peace (Edgell Rickword 1898 - 1982) In sodden trenches I have heard men speak, Though numb and wretched, wise and witty things;
Holding the flimsy message in his hand While through your heart the fiery question thrilled "Wounded or killed, which, which?"--and it was "Killed--" And in a kind of trance have read it, numb But conscious that the dreaded hour was come, No dream this dream wherewith your blood was chilled-- Oh brothers in calamity, unknown Companions in the order of black loss, Lift up your hearts, for your are not alone, And let our sombre hosts together bring Their sorrows to the shadow of the Cross And learn the fellowship of suffering. War and Peace (Edgell Rickword 1898 - 1982) In sodden trenches I have heard men speak, Though numb and wretched, wise and witty things;
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