The Last Laugh -- Wilfred Owen

 

 

‘O Jesus Christ! I’m hit,’ he said; and died.


Whether he vainly cursed or prayed indeed,

The Bullets chirped—In vain, vain, vain!


Machine-guns chuckled—Tut-tut! Tut-tut!


And the Big Gun guffawed.

Another sighed,—‘O Mother,—mother,—Dad!’

Then smiled at nothing, childlike, being dead.


And the lofty Shrapnel-cloud


Leisurely gestured,—Fool!


And the splinters spat, and tittered.

‘My Love!’ one moaned. Love-languid seemed his mood,


Till slowly lowered, his whole face kissed the mud.


And the Bayonets’ long teeth grinned;

Rabbles of Shells hooted and groaned;

And the Gas hissed.