Poem ~ Mud of the Kaiser - Tuesday, 19 January 1915

Source: File: Kaiser Wilhelm II on horseback in 1915.jpg, 2015. Behind Enemy Lines: Over 100 Photographs Of German Soldiers Fighting World War One

By Anorak. 18 January 1915. [online] (updated 12 January 2015)  Available at:< http://flashbak.com/behind-enemy-lines-over-100-photographs-of-german-soldiers-fighting-world-war-one-7617/>[Accessed: 19 January 2015].

North Eastern France,

In the region of the Aisne,

Was a small village among

Many - where the people,

In the midst of January -

Emerged from their homes,

To see the unusual sight;

The German Kaiser on their

Street riding on horseback.

The recent rains had left

The ground sodden with mud.

The Kaiser's horse was led

Through a puddle, to throw

Up some flecks of mud.

This dirt flew into the face

Of an old woman - the Kaiser

Gave an apology, by gesture.

With her eyes fixed on his

Face, she spoke in a firm

Tone of voice - 'it is nothing

Sir. Such mud as that can

Be easily wiped off.'

The Kaiser understood this

Old lady's implied inference-

How other stains remain

Indelible - the Kaiser in a frown

Said nothing, as he turned

To lead his horse onwards.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. The Mud that Sticks. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 19 Jan. P.10. Col.5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11345891/Daily-Telegraph-January-19-1915.html [Accessed: 19 January 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 19 January 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11345891/Daily-Telegraph-January-19-1915.html

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