Vergissmeinnicht

Keith Douglas (1920-1944)

 


English 9 \ Poetry

 


Three weeks ago and the combatants gone,                        We see him almost with content

returning over the nightmare ground                                    Abased, and seeming to have paid

we found the place again, and found                                     and mocked at by his own equipment

the soldier sprawling in the sun.                                            that's hard and good when he's decayed.

 

The frowning barrel of his gun                                              But she would weep to see to-day

overshadowing. As we came on                                             how on his skin the swart flies move;

that day, he hit my tank with one                                          the dust upon the paper eye

like the entry of a demon.                                                      and the burst stomach like a cave.

 

Look. Here in the gunpit spoil                                               For here the lover and killer are mingled

the dishonored picture of his girl                                           who had one body and one heart.

who has put: Steffi. Vergissmeinnicht                                  And death who had the soldier singled

in a copy book gothic script.                                                  has done the lover mortal hurt.