Geoff Stevens
Armistice
Thorns that pierce and bruise
the barbed wire hedge
with its desiccated berries of blood
hanging on to brittle thorns
black memories of no-man's-land
hoar-frosted skin
stretched over a boney skull
in a winter wind
the battle still raging on inside
though the soldier wearies
and sits on his haunches
entrenched in his waiting
so that when the ceasfire comes
he will be ready to cross the line
though he still wonders
if he will distinguish God
from the Devil
the barbed wire hedge
with its desiccated berries of blood
hanging on to brittle thorns
black memories of no-man's-land
hoar-frosted skin
stretched over a boney skull
in a winter wind
the battle still raging on inside
though the soldier wearies
and sits on his haunches
entrenched in his waiting
so that when the ceasfire comes
he will be ready to cross the line
though he still wonders
if he will distinguish God
from the Devil
Page(s) 19
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