{"id":2035,"date":"2013-06-28T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2013-06-28T08:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2035"},"modified":"2013-06-28T09:15:57","modified_gmt":"2013-06-28T08:15:57","slug":"early-morningpicardy-plainjuly-1st-1916","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2035","title":{"rendered":"EARLY MORNING:PICARDY PLAIN:JULY 1st. 1916"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Early Morning, Picardy Plain, July 1st<\/sup>. 1916<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Silence<\/p>\n

Almost deafening in its power
\nsomewhat overwhelming in the scheme of things
\nand considering just before a shower of molten metal
\nrained down upon the cowering men entrenched in dugouts…
\nCurled up foetal-like to escape the thunderous blasts.<\/p>\n

The stench of cordite lingers long
\nand hangs about, unwanted just above
\nthe trench\u2014a trough not fit for swine but occupied
\nby lions brave and proud-supine-waiting for the whistle…
\nTrembling at the thought of facing the murderous barrage.<\/p>\n

Shouts assault the stillness-Orders
\nbarked-A common movement practiced oft before
\nan unwanted shift\u2014knowing full well what waits above
\nbut moving forward just the same and heading for…
\nThe nightmare on a gently rolling Picardy plain.<\/p>\n

Dawn…. Breaks….but\u00a0 spirits fail to soar
\na roar…a bellow as the horde beset the parapets
\nscrambling and crawling and scuttling, and shutting
\nout the fear, getting ever near to the broadside, the fusillade
\nthat will greet them on this early July morn.<\/p>\n

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Robert Niblock<\/strong><\/p>\n

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