Author’s Note: Reading lots of reports and blogs, trying to understand it all, then dreams of poor bastards in the trenches…

– Arrias

Two years of war in the cold and mud,

Two years, no end in sight.

Two years and more they’ve fought and died,

Sometimes it’s not clear who’s wrong, who’s right.

Mostly they fight for survival,

Just hold this piece of ground,

Day in, day out, no rest,

Artillery continues to pound.

Politicians argue, “Must not quit,”

As they dance their elaborate ballet,

Talk of next month or next year,

In the trenches – just worry about today.

Live through this afternoon,

Live through this damned barrage,

Let tomorrow take care of tomorrow,

That future is just a mirage.

Just make it through the next 15 minutes,

Then a cup of coffee with your pal,

Then a nap in this cold, damp trench,

That’s the limit of rationale.

Fighting for the man beside you,

For a cup of coffee and a warm cot,

The rest of the world is too far away,

And has mostly been forgot.

That world is just a fantasy,

The trenches are all that’s real,

The war may last forever,
And this land may never heal.

Copyright 2024 Arrias
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