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Shot At Dawn

Those deaths a shameful memory
Shot at dawn for cowardice.
Almost unbelievably
Young soldiers paid the final price.

They died because they chose to lie.
About their age to volunteer.
The normal rules did not apply.
Research has made it very clear.

That the army bears the blame.
That proof exists they can't deny.
To their everlasting shame.
They did not try to verify.

The age of youthful volunteers.
Although they could and should have done.
I'm sad to say that it appears
They rarely checked on anyone.

The generals and the brigadiers.
Did not care apparently.
That mere schoolboys of tender years.
Were enlisted readily.

To take the place of fighting men.
Already fallen to the foe.
They had to fill the ranks again.
So they pretended not to know.

How many shell shocked boys were shot.
Accused of being cowardly.
The brass hats knew but they dare not
Admit their failings openly.

The Great War ended long ago.
The guilty men have long since died.
But now at least the people know.
Despite the fact the army tried.

To hide the truth but they could not.
New evidence has come to light.
Which proves that shell shocked boys were shot.
Because they could no longer fight.

We understand shell shock today.
Much better than they did back then.
We view the world a different way.
We know that stress can cripple men.

poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Added by Poetry Lover
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