A Soldier’s Kiss
'Goodbye, Old Man,' by Fortunino Matania
Only a dying horse! pull off the gear,
And slip the needless bit from frothing jaws,
Drag it aside there, leaving the road way clear,
The battery thunders on with scarce a pause.
Prone by the shell-swept highway there it lies
With quivering limbs, as fast the life-tide fails,
Dark films are closing o'er the faithful eyes
That mutely plead for aid where none avails.
Onward the battery rolls, but one there speeds
Heedlessly of comrades voice or bursting shell,
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 honours wait 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
And slip the needless bit from frothing jaws,
Drag it aside there, leaving the road way clear,
The battery thunders on with scarce a pause.
Prone by the shell-swept highway there it lies
With quivering limbs, as fast the life-tide fails,
Dark films are closing o'er the faithful eyes
That mutely plead for aid where none avails.
Onward the battery rolls, but one there speeds
Heedlessly of comrades voice or bursting shell,
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 honours wait 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
Known as the Railway Porter Poet because he worked at Bath Railway Station, Henry Chappell (1874 - 1937) is most known for a WWI poem entitled "The Day." A collection of his poems is available as a free download here.
Fortunio Matania (1881–1963) was an Italian artist noted for his realistic portrayal of World War I trench warfare and other historical scenes.
Jennifer Bohnhoff is a writer who lives in the mountains of central New Mexico. Her historical novel about World War I, A Blaze of Poppies, will be released this fall and is available for preorder.
Fortunio Matania (1881–1963) was an Italian artist noted for his realistic portrayal of World War I trench warfare and other historical scenes.
Jennifer Bohnhoff is a writer who lives in the mountains of central New Mexico. Her historical novel about World War I, A Blaze of Poppies, will be released this fall and is available for preorder.
