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March of the Bulldog

Thirteen times that flag when down
Thirteen times picked from the ground
Thrust aloft by last man standing
With the mortar shells still landing

Wield the colours twenty paces 
Over fallen friendly faces
’til the mortars take a rest
Leaving shrapnel in his chest 

Man and colours, each goes down
To the muddied blooded ground
Laboured is his final breath
Raised the flag with all he’s left

Soon the battle no more loud
Flag of Britain flying proud
All her fallen sprawled around
Oberst doesn’t take it down

Shakes his head, he isn’t grinning
He says, ‘Wir können nicht gewinnen.’


Oberst = Colonel
Wir können nicht gewinnen = We cannot win

Copyright © Terry Flood | Year Posted 2021

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Tom Cunningham Date: 11/15/2021 11:01:00 AM The colonel was right there, great to see the Veterans marching past the cenotaph yesterday, they all looked so proud. Tom Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 11/15/2021 11:08:00 AM Using the German at the end was a last minute decision. Hoped it wouldn’t be off putting. Makes me laugh that, on the radio someone thought The Queen was kept away from the Cenotaph because of the terror alert…. Which suggests that the security services said, ‘Stick that tree hugging Charlie in there instead.’ Duh!! Terry

L Milton Hankins Date: 11/14/2021 9:30:00 AM Fine writing, Terry. I enjoyed it immensely, especially for Veteran's Day. Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 11/14/2021 11:08:00 AM Thank you , Milt. As I said to Gershon, I originally wrote ‘He Was The Brave’ for Armistice Day but I knew, if I held on to it, that I would tinker with it. So, having posted it a few days early, I wrote this for the day. Glad you enjoyed. Terry

Gershon Wolf Date: 11/13/2021 6:33:00 PM Epic rendering here, Terry. I really like reading actual battlefield poems, as opposed to paeans for or against war/military ventures. This feels so authentic. Bravo, Gershon Login to Reply Terry Flood Date: 11/14/2021 1:15:00 AM Hadn’t intended this to be specifically British soldiers, but wanted the reader to be clear of which ‘side’ was which. Having used up ‘He Was The Brave’ a few days ago, I wanted something for Armistice day… this was it. Glad you enjoyed. Terry