1 July 1916, The Battle of —
It was not the sum
nor any total–
columns of men rounded down
into boot sole,
flesh ground not to dust but mud, pus-
treaded.
Tanks be to God
for that now deep sod.
Oh, tanks be to God
as the Somme was
to an end,
except for them
dead then,
except for them.
*************************
For Kerry O’Connor’s Flash 55 prompt on Real Toads. Kerry also brought up the fact that these days are the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in World War I, a horribly bloody battle whose first day brought the British more casualties than any other day in their history (over 56,000 with well over 19,000 dead). It is my understanding that the battle also marked an introduction of the tank.
Photo is mine; all rights reserved to it and poem, as always.
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