Off to war, went two young men one named Jack,
and the other Ben. Jack was strong a fierce fighting man,
where Ben was weak and always ran. Jack would cover him,
when the going got rough, but poor old Ben could never get tough.
In the time that would follow, both men felt hollow,
not knowing if this was their last tomorrow.
Jack fought on, this brave young lad,
but Ben became shell shock and very sad.
Then weeks would pass, turning the months into years,
and poor old Ben just lived with his fears. Then Jack was killed,
fighting in the Somme, blown to pieces by a bomb.
Ben ran and hid, when the warning came,
but a bullet hit him and made him lame.
With his flesh torn leg he laid there dumbfound
as he saw his comrade fall to the ground.
Then up he got, with pain hard to bear,
and gave the enemy a mighty scare.
With gun and bullets by his side,
he found a place where he could hide.
From a lad who was wounded, shell shocked and tired.
He just loaded his gun, then fired and fired
He fought with honour and with pride
to avenge his friend, who had just died
No more was Ben weak and afraid
he now joined his regiment in every raid.
His leg was better the pain had gone,
but the memory of Jack still lingered on.
He took of his medal and placed it on his grave.
Then said he was sorry to a life he could not save.
He was his treasured friend right to the end.
sylvia spencer
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/treasured-friends/
