In the Parisian Liberte, is
told a tale
Of a haystack, in region of Arras,
Consisting of collected straw,
Harvested just months before.
By all accounts a normal sight,
To become a game of strategy.
This farmed hay found itself made,
Between two opposing war lines.
Two French signaller’s had spotted
The vantage point - they ran across,
Scrambling to top of stack, making
Their observations – as the fighting
Warmed up, they slid back to ground,
Back to the safety of their trenches.
With the straw barely still again,
A couple of Germans then
Ran from their side, and climbed
The stack – so then a game
Ensued amid French gamblers,
Who gained their opportunity.
Cigarettes were laid down as bets,
In timing alternative occupations,
From French to German,
Upon the mentioned collected hay.
But on day two a sad demise
Came of the innocent haystack.
During a French bayonet attack,
The straw vantage point was fired.
Elsewhere, on one foggy night,
The French resting in their trench,
Heard some sounds of accordion,
Coming from the German’s trench.
In this very section of defenses,
Was a particular patrol of Bretons.
Who were known to be dancers.
These sounds of the foggy strains
Of music, caught their feet.
As if under a spell the regiment,
Squadron by squadron,
Moved out their trench system.
In the dampness of foggy shelter,
They formed circles to dance,
To their enemy’s hypnotic music.
The next day the French payback,
Was played of a different music.
The French composition of fire,
Gave the Germans a different tune.
Anon.,1914. Humours of the War – Fight for a Haystack. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 Nov. p.13. Col.2. Available at: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03094/Telegraph1914_1711_3094271a.pdf [Accessed: 17 November 2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 17 November 2014).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #ww1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered
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