Still lying here, nailed by debris and spoiled by shrapnel
My spent eyes caught a raging and a roaring in the heavens
Of flying beasts clashing, of winged creatures bickering
Of dangers and of dying, of deeds by urgent boys
In the face of terror, of deadly menace from other shores.
And still the clash of golden spears amid the chants of angels
And shallow, hollow hopes of those at home who led us here
Like insects to be wasted on the mighty guns of other fools
Sharing the flaming sunset across the mighty sky with creatures
Unknown to me, yet fearsome in their glorious robes and armour.
Also, the heavens awash with a furious singing ringing through me
With a bellowing and a snarling and a looted land wailing
Across bleak wrecks where fields and streams and woods had been
Horizons smouldered amid the blare of clanging song and strife
I seem the only man alive to tell of gods and other gods bestriding.
But now my soul too, unpinioned and freed from the unbodied filth
Seeming floating, joining the other boys, chorusing, remembering.
Sweet Jesus, let me hear my sergeant’s joke
Then find and save me Lord, before I croak.