Gary Smith Poet Rhyme

Oh My Dear Son, If Only You Knew

Just turned seventeen when I took the shilling
Got a smart uniform, and some shiny boots too
Then off to camp to learn about killing,
Oh my dear son, if only you knew.

Next stop was France, a young lad abroad
How welcoming and warm we found the French,
But ideas of adventure are put to the sword
When you're standing knee deep in mud in a trench.

The shelling was awful, it scared me to death
A voice shouted duck! there's one coming through
Many of my mates then took their last breath
Oh my dear son, if only you knew.

I'm yer old dad, but once I was young too
But my youth was tainted for I lived with killing,
And I saw such horrors I'd dare not tell you,
You did what they said, once you took the shilling.

Even today I hear wounded men screaming
I see the face of the man my bayonet ran through,
I charge the barbed wire every night as I'm dreaming,
Oh my dear son... if only you knew.









Entry for
If only you knew Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Silent One.
24/8/2019. Placed 2nd.

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Funom Makama September 9, 2019 at 10:05 AM A big big congratulations to you edar friend. This is lovely. So so beautiful. Gary Smith September 9, 2019 at 10:38 AM Thank you Funom. :)

Anne-Lise Andresen August 31, 2019 at 3:16 PM - Congratulations Gary, on your winning poem, a really special poem ... so many who do not understand - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Gary Smith August 31, 2019 at 3:31 PM Thank you Anne-Lise. :)

Silent One August 29, 2019 at 3:57 PM Many a soldier will feel this way, the horrors of war stay with us.. Congratulations on your placement in the contest.. Gary Smith August 29, 2019 at 3:58 PM Thank you Silent One. :)

Joseph P. DiMino August 25, 2019 at 9:47 AM Powerful! If only they knew. But, unfortunately, to this day, after thousands of years of history, yet experience is the only teacher. God help us all! Great writing! Gary Smith August 25, 2019 at 9:58 AM Thank you Joe. :)