"V/HAT DID YOU DO TODAY?"
Lieutenant Shatlain, ci tank commander, amputated his • ’
V :• -,r‘‘ own foot ^vith-a jackknife and thou£>ht ho-vra,s'dying ' . - '
; . : .'When he v;rote this poem on-a battlefield in AfricA.-He x • -
' T^'-'as rescued after about-tyv’o hours of hiding and is nov/
~j..r •? . , ..in a hospital in ^Uigland. , ; . -• .. - , j
IfiJhat did you do today, my friend, ' My gunner d5.ed in my aiTiis today,
From morn until dark? I feel his warm blood yet;
How many times did you con^lain : Your neighbor's dying boy gave out.
The rationing is too tight? A scrc^ I can^t forget,
IVhen are ,ycu going to, start'to_ do * . '•rv'v; On my’right a: tank was hit,,
-All the things you say? A flash and then a f.ire;
spldigr would .ili.^e,-.to Iqiow,;-my:;fr^:end.>;-^ . The stpnch o|l.burn;Lng flesh. : ■ J3-
■ iVhat did .you;._.do. today? . ' ';{I;•: ;pyre>r:j
\fe-met t}hO;^-pn6^,^tofiay,-/ij;....-s ' ,t;A;..;r>Vihat:\dicl: you; doi.itdday, •■r?jr friend,>
And took the tov;n by stem; . " “ ‘ ’ To help us with.the task?',.,u iro.r^i
Happy i’eading it will make ' ; '■ r, ' . Did you work hai‘der. and longer for
For you tomorrow morn; ' ^ • ' '' ''* ■ less, '
You’ll read with satisfa.cti.cn,, _ ■ . Or is that too,much to ask?
The brief communique, Wliat right have I to ask you this?
We fought; but are you‘fighting: \ ‘ You probably vdll s&y, ■ '
I'/hat did you do todaj'? • Maybe now you’ll, understand
. ‘ ' You see, J DIED TODAY! ’
■ t- ■ , • ■ • '• .V .
'. By Lt, Doan Shatlairt
”AiN APPEiVL TO OUR BOYS« HOMEFOLKS"
Read the above poem, read it aloud to your-self cjid see if you can honestly say
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