Tag: WWI
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Lost and found
Once was lost, now am found I cut the branch, golden bough Find your Special Branch, the gun go blauwe I’m Chulainn’s hound cooling down after a spate of crimes I’m laying low in my home estate after an eight star chase. Back at the ranch, second tranche Second time in France, sign the contract…
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Inner City Oldtime
Our own tongue throat stranger And failing to nourish will or may perish We pause, wishing to answer betters in Irish Cannot know a lost language Vanishes, we answer in English Less than swill of which our Liffey consists. What is Irishness What is native wit? Slack jaws guffawing Slenting houses built from haunted bricks…
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Raiding in blue
Caked, tugged at, sucked back, slowgoing, wading Lost Tommies shelldefeaned leadpregnant Advancing slowly whilst grenaded Man insane to go against machines Without officer’s baton and ironed strides. Imagining ranks of young Frenchmen Artists and teachers, future lynchpins Of society and pillars, perhaps, some Sons prodigal, the rum-dumbed But none death deserving None so numb to…
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Bombs in Billets
Mr Burke from Battersea has an early start Up with larks, ensuring binmen do their jobs If you spy him circuiting the park he is warden of, and try stalking past him He will shout as if you had not seen him and were keen to stop and talk He bellows about battle Overseas retreats…