I STOOD WITH THE DEAD

I STOOD WITH THE DEAD

I stood with the Dead, so forsaken and still:

When dawn was grey I stood with the Dead.

And my slow heart said, "You must kill; you must kill:

Soldier, soldier, morning is red."

On the shapes of the slain in their crumpled disgrace

I stared for a while through the thin cold rain….

"O lad that I loved, there is rain on your face,

And your eyes are blurred and sick like the plain."

I stood with the Dead…. They were dead; they were dead;

My heart and my head beat a march of dismay;

And gusts of the wind came dulled by the guns….


"Fall in!" I shouted; "Fall in for your pay!"