August 1914 Poem by Kevin Hulme

Tell me good lady.
Where is James the Blacksmith,
His song Is heard no more.
The Anvil chimes by a different hand,
Behind the Workshop door?
He's gone to fight in the War lad.
And what of Poet Sam the Ostler,
Mother Nature's faithful one.
Who writes of all her children near, in Verse when work is done?
He's gone to fight in the War lad.
And what of loyal Tom Edward Sullivan,
Who is piety to the Bells.
So to proclaim a blessed union,
Or a loved ones sad farewell?
He's gone to fight in the War lad.
Have you seen Daniel and Jacob Hudson,
Those twins of sporting fame.
Who hit for Six and Bowled clean out,
For the Village and won the game?
They've gone to fight in the War lad.
For where is young Robert Dickson,
Who courts fair Alice Page.
He can't have taken ‘The Shilling' prize,
For he's not of serving age?
He's gone to fight in the War lad.
I've searched in vain for Charlotte,
That dear Milk Maid at the Farm,
She can't have fooled the Recruiting Boys
And taken up with Arms?
She's gone to fight in the War lad.
Oh will we ever get to see again,
Our kin, Our brother man.
Or will there be, fates final decree, in a dreadful Telegram?
Son How can I read of Fortunes script,
Those words are vailed and dark.
I only know of Fear and Pain,
Within this Mother's Heart.
For what tale of death and Sorrow,
Will future years recall.
When England's bloom of Roses stood,
To Wilt and Bend In Flanders mud,
Though with Valour and so to fall.