From a book of poetry and anecdotes I wrote to commemorate the Ioo years of conflict from 1914 to 2014
The book was titled 'Century of Sentiment' and not all the poems showed the horror that the military went through. The following poem is dedicated to those who lost someone in action.






Regret To Inform You

She sat alone at the kitchen table, her shift at the factory done.
The shadows cast by the candle light hid the tear tracks that had run
in the hours since the soldier had placed the envelope in her hand.
The brown envelope lay unopened wet from the falling tears
for she new the words that lay within would confirm the news she feared,
from the day she watched him march away with the men behind the band

“Don't worry, Love he'd told her,” “we'll be back by Christmas time.” At least that's what the Generals said, as they sent men into the line. Never knowing the carnage ahead would lay waste to their best laid plans
The news reports and photos, well, they told a much different tale. They showed young men's frightened faces so gaunt and pale. Stories of heroism, bravery under fie, men slaughtered in no man's land.

Yes, she'd received many postcards, he sent from the Western front. Telling how much he missed her and how much he loved his son. Now, that son had lost a father and a loving wife had lost her man.
In the fading, flickering candlelight, she wondered how she'd tell the boy, that Daddy wasn't coming home, wouldn't be bringing him a toy. And nothing to tell her how he died, in that cold, brief telegram.
Simply,,,,, We regret to inform you..............................