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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
OUR MODEST DOUGHBOYS, by CHARLTON ANDREWS First Line: Said the captain: 'there was wire' Last Line: Said private mike mccann. Subject(s): World War I; First World War | |||
SAID the Captain: "There was wire A mile deep in No Man's Land, And the concentrated fire Was all mortal nerve could stand; But these huskies craved the chance To go out and leave their bones!" "The climate's quite some damp in France," Said Private Thomas Jones. Said the Major: "What is more, At the point where we attacked, Tough old veterans loudly swore Hindy's line could not be cracked. But the 27th said, 'Hindenburg! That guy's a myth!'" "I slept last night in a reg'lar bed," Said Private Johnny Smith. Said the Colonel: "They had placed Pillboxes on the crests. I can safely say we faced Maybe thousands of those nests. But our doughboys took one height Seven times in that hell's hail." "And were the cooties thick? Good night!" Said Private William Dale. Said the General: "We were told Anything we'd start they'd stop -- That the Boche would knock us cold When we slid across the top. But the 7th with a yell Made the Prussian Guards back down." "You oughta lamped the smile on Nell!" Said Private Henry Brown. Said the Sergeant: "Every shell Seemed to whine, 'Old scout, you're dead!' And I thought I'd gone to hell In a blizzard of hot lead. But each bloomin' gunner stuck At his post by his machine." "Our orders said to hold it, Buck!" Said Private Peter Green. Said the Chaplain: "Talk of pep! They were there! And, may I add, When we clambered up the step That last fight, we only had Eighty men of Company D -- Every one, I'll say, a man!" "And am I glad I'm home? Ah, oui!" Said Private Mike McCann. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN APOLOGIA PRO VITA SUA by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE |
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