There's no going back
Tick tick tick
Hands pass
Tick tick tick
The sands in constant motion
Tick tick tick
Features change
Tick tick tick
It waits for no one
Tick tick tock
I have none of it
Tick tock tick
Mustn't waste it
Tock tick tick

They roll.
The close.
They're near my nose.
They wink.
They weep.
They dream when I sleep.
Windows to the soul.
Pupils black as coal.
I see all sorts.
They are the gateway to my thoughts.
I cherish my eyeballs!

Another day
Hey
Another night
Another morning
Another journey
Another face
Another job
Another sandwich
Another missed opportunity
Another chance
Another frown
Another light
Another queue
Another crowd
Another beep
Another station
Another drink
Another deep breath
Another groan
Another moan
Another half smile
Wait!
Is this life?
I see my kids
I feel alive
They are what I once was
Innocent
Inquisitive
Energetic
Full of promise
Bright eyes
Smiles
Life bottled
Keep it!
Moments in time I will cherish forever.
Gone but never forgotten

In the trench alone.
when will I go home?
From No mans land I hear another moan.
surely, he will not go home.
Mans fight to the death.
"Please come home" our nearest say under their breath.
Blood turns the mud red.
How many more boys and men will go home dead?
A moments silence.
Bird song.
A trickling stream.
It's just a dream.
Mustard gas!
Barbed wire!
Gun fire!
In the trench alone.
When will I go home?

Nigel the soldier
Shoulders big as boulders
Up over the top
Tried not to stop
Tripped on some wire
Dodged all gun fire
Jumped back up again
Then it started to rain
Got to the other side
In one giant stride
Took some enemy out
They began to shout
Nowhere else to go
In a place he didn't know
Nigel the brave
Resting forever in an unmarked grave

Take a rest
is this gods test?
There is a stench resonating from the trench.
Death appears in many forms. A distorted face looks out from the mud unaware of what has been left behind. The bare trunk of a tree no longer able to sway in the wind. Mans broken spirit looking for a way to escape the living hell. No surrender. When will it end? No time to rest I must keep digging.

This is it.
The time has come.
My final hour.
I miss my mum.
I'm at the front.
I heard some shots.
I'm feeling scared.
I miss mum lots.
If I make it I'll make mum proud.
The shells are close now.
The shells are loud.
I'm ready to go
To Jump over the top.
I cannot hear.
My ears went pop.
I look to the left they tell me go.
I should have been honest and let them know.
I'm just a kid the youngest around.
I don't want to go but I'm duty bound.
For king and country I'll go over the top.
In no mans land I will not drop.