capt_facepalm

Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight)
Characters: Rudyard Kipling, Dr John H. Watson, other veterans from the 66th
Summary: Young Kipling interviews Maiwand veterans
Warnings: (Author's second attempt at poetry)
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 27th writing prompt

Today is the 131st Anniversary of the Battle of Maiwand
Very loosely inspired by Kipling himself, and also his poem The Young British Soldier

Reading
July 27, 1882

The aspiring writer wanted to hear some more
Stories from soldiers recently returned from war

‘Begone,’ they snarled, ‘Our stories are not for tender years’
‘No,’ one said, ‘Let him stay and learn from what he hears’

‘Two years ago today, in a valley no one knows
Out-gunned, out-numbered, out-witted, by our foes
Our regiment was reduced to a feast for greedy crows’

‘Then dust, heat, and thirst, took their deadly toll
Cries of the fallen would rend the hardest soul’

‘So, young man, remember us in your poem
We are the lucky few: the ones who made it home’

.oOOo.

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