Shot at Dawn

18/10/2014

As time passed me by last night my eyes were open wide
My mind upon the morning my fear I could not hide
I knew that time could not stand     still, no not for anyone
Yet there I lay just waiting for the rising of the sun

The darkness meant I could not die for the major he had said
Shoot him in the morning when the sun is over head
I had never been a bad man my crime was only fear
I had frozen refused to go when the whistle blew so clear

I'd done it many times before jumped up, gone o'r the top
Yet yesterday my body froze I was like a broken clock
I could hear and see my friends doing as we had before
Yet there I was just frozen I couldn't go once more

I had seen so many horrors and watched so many die
There I stood with comrades yet all I did was cry
For days I hadn't eaten except for bread and tea
My mind was now a muddle but this they couldn't see

The sun it started rising and I was bowed in prayer
Me and several others were left just standing there
A hankie placed to mark my heart glinting in the sun
I knew that now it was my time as I heard the click of a gun

We were labelled cowards shot each day at Dawn
Now they know of shell shock and no longer are guns drawn
To shoot a wounded soldier who's mind is not quite there
Remember us the " lost ones" next time you say a prayer