A Soldier’s Kiss
Only a dying horse! pull off the gear,
And slip the needless bit from frothing jaws,
Drag it aside there, leaving the roadway clear,
The battery thunders on with scarce a pause.
Prone by the shell-swept highway there lies
With quivering limbs, as fast as the life tide fails,
Dark films are closing o’er the faithful eyes
They mutely plead for aid where none avails.
Onward the battery rolls, but once their speeds
Heedlessly of comrades’ voices or bursting shells,
Back to the wounded friend who lonely bleeds
Beside the stony highway where he fell.
Only a dying horse! he swiftly kneels,
Lifts the limp head and hears the shivering sigh
Kisses his friend, while down his cheek there steals
Sweet pity’s tear, “Goodbye old man, Goodbye”.
No honors wait for him, medal, badge, or star,
Though scarce could war a kindlier deed unfold;
He bears within his breast, more precious far
Beyond the gift of kings, a heart of gold.
by Henry Chappell
🌺💜 We will remember them 💜🌺
