Shell Shock
Shell Shock
Body, mind and soul deranged
a person so completely changed
Every sinew burnt to an ember
as there was very little to remember
Stumbling alone quite numb and dazed
no emotion or feeling could be raised
Despite the glaring sunlight
there as little about or in sight
Fear, hunger and pain were no more
even the shrapnel wounds no longer sore
Dazed, heady as if overcome with drink
there was nothing left about to think
All around did give a shout
but it all meant absolutely nowt
Dirt and grime covered his body
then someone offered him a toddy
He had forgotten who he truly was
no longer could he use the word because
Reason and compassion had retreated
his very soul completely defeated
The gas had choked and suffocated
in this pants he had defecated
Tears streamed from his infected eyes
all he could hear were sobs and sighs
An eerie mist pervaded soul and place
no longer did he belong to the human race
All seemed lost or dead
in a sore and empty head
Martin Elder
Thu 13th Apr 2017 09:56
I have never experienced what has traditionally been called shell shock and I hope I never do but I have come across a number of guys who have really been through the mill with what is now called PTSD and it is dreadful. I take my hat off to anybody who has. A good and brave poem Keith, well done.
Nice one