Does it Matter?

Does it matter? - losing your legs?...

For people will always be kind,

And you need not show that you mind

When the others come in after hunting

to gobble their muffins and eggs.

Does it matter? - losing your sight?...

There's such splendid work for the blind;

And people will always be kind,

As you sit on the terrace remembering 

And turning your face to the light.

Do they matter? - those dreams from the pit?...

You can drink and forget and be glad,

And people won't say that you are mad;

For they'll know that you've fought for your country

And no one will worry a bit. 

Siegfried Sasoon

Suicide in the Trenches

I knew a simple soldier boy

Who grinned at life in empty joy,

Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,

And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,

With crumps and lice and lack of rum,

He put a bullet through his brain.

No one spoke of him again.

You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye

Who cheer when soldier lads march by,

Sneak home and pray you'll never know

The hell where youth and laughter go.

Siegfried Sasoon