The Final Battle

All the soldiers stood proudly gleaming white, For years they all were smiling bright, Then one by one off they went to fight. One by one by the enemy they were got, And one by one they fell to toffee rot. Sometimes it was by sheer neglect Sometimes the cause was a fight. Sometimes they took a good kicking, But they sure did take some licking. They carried on regardless as good soldiers do, The years took toll yet some still rallied through. For three score and ten the battle it did rage, The enemy every one they did engage. Both North and South they all stood tall. Until finally the last rank they did fall, The empty graves of the fallen saw with much dismay, The final rank, with a simple yank, went sadly to the tray. Now the barracks are all empty, The guardroom it is closed. Those brave and Pearly Sappers, Will never again be snappers. No plastic troops will take their place, No walts or wannabees in that space An empty cave will be their grave, They served me well, all of them were smashers. Now they're gone, I'll miss my lovely gnashers. © Dave Timperley 20 May 2017