Read Poems by Spencer Rowley

  

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Dulce Et Decorum Non Est

Dulce Et Decorum Non Est

I am brave, I am strong, I am young, I am old,
I am eighteen.
Watch my back, my friend
I’ll watch yours.
The false bravado, the sweat, the heat, the flies,
the lies
No, Sir, I am not afraid
I’m not afraid of war, Sir, I’m not afraid to die
Kill them before they kill you, son,
Kill them before they kill you.
 

The contact
The noise, the heat, the screaming, the fear
I won’t scream
I won’t run
Aim, fire, don’t aim, fire, fire, fire!
Fall, fall, fall, down
Mother, I’m scared.
God, I’m scared
Don’t let them hurt me, mother
don’t let them kill me, God

I’m screaming
in pain
Not in pain, in anger, it’s not me it’s you
Are you hurt, my friend, is it you
in pain?

Let me lift you
Let me carry you
away from here.
Away from the pain, the anger, the hurt, the hate
the heat, the flies, the sweat, the blood
My blood.
Your blood, your blood.  Our blood
And theirs.
And theirs.

It gets easier, I promise.
Next time will be easier, you’ll see
No, it won’t Sir.
It won’t.

Copyright © Spencer Rowley | Year Posted 2017