Coffee

Cold night, bitter wind,

Enough to chill the heart.

The crashing of shells haunts me

But I’ll always play my part.

No sleep, little food,

But continue through the night.

Camaraderie lies deep in us all

And we won’t give up the fight.

Wet boots, muddy clothes,

Morale is wearing thin.

Shots fire from all directions,

Bodies drop among the din.

Last man down, all alone,

Crawling from No Man’s Land.

Sergeant nods a silent greeting

And pushes a coffee into my hand.