The Commander of I Company
The colonel assembled the company C.O.'s and made the orders clear:
Attack at dawn in the morning. I was there to hear
that I, K, and L would advance abreast, with M to support the three,
to wrest the high ground to our front from the enemy.
I watched the commander of I Company as the council of war went on --
too young, untried, a replacement with bright bars newly won,
the senior officer left in I after many a combat day,
and Item would not move out at all unless he led the way.
I watched the young lieutenant, and once I caught his eye.
He knew; and he knew I knew - that likely he would die.
I saw a frantic will to live in his eye, bared soul and heart
and a mute acceptance of his role with a will to play his part.
They all saluted the colonel and went with leaden souls
back to the men they commanded, there to play the roles
of confident, fighting leaders of men. (Their motto is "Follow me.")
The attack was launched in the morning. I was there to see
how the ridge to our front was taken, how the enemy broke and ran,
saw the frantic regrouping and counting of many a missing man.
I saw the young lieutenant for the last time late that night;
the Graves Crew stopped at our kitchen for coffee, warmth and light,
with a cargo that looked like cordwood, the boy on top of the pile.
My helmet off in the moonlight, held to my breast a while,
in a soul-felt, unseen tribute from an understanding heart
to one who had never heard of Pope, but acted well his part.*
*Honour and shame from no condition rise; act well your part: there all the honor lies. Essay on Man, Alexander Pope.
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The Shelling of L Company
The captain called for artillery at Willy minus five.
The liaison officer relayed the call,
and the guns to our rear came alive.
The captain called for artillery at Willy minus ten.
"Crossed Cannons" checked his map,
then called the order in.
The captain called for artillery at Willy less a score.
"Crossed Cannons" spread his chart,
and called the colonel over:
"Who in hell is commanding L? A mad man to be sure!
I hate to shell is position,
but that's what he's calling for."
The frantic captain called again, "Fire everything you've got!
You won't hurt us. We're in holes.
The enemy is not!
The Good Soldier
First he oiled his rifle.
Next he cared for his feet,
then slowly opened a ration
and forced himself to eat.
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