The bugle sounds,

A new day dawns,

It’s off to the front

For the General’s pawns.

He’s worked on his plans,

For many an hour,

Both ends of the candle

Burn in his ivory tower.

All pretty and clean,

He’s studied his maps,

Should be easy enough

For his clever chaps.

Though failed in the past,

Luck hasn’t been kind,

But he’s learnt from that,

Sharpened his mind.

Where he’s gone wrong,

He knows for a fact,

Not enough men

Were used in attack.

But now he’s got more,

All trained and convinced

That his plans can’t fail,

Until they get minced.

When the lists come in,

More names this time,

All added to the cast

Of grisly pantomime.

Now the next act is due,

His plans are sound,

Get me more men

We must gain ground.

The bugle sounds,

A new day dawns,

It’s off to the grave

For the General’s new pawns.

© John Sales 2002.