Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967). The Old Huntsman and Other Poems. 1918.

21. Stand-to: Good Friday Morning

I’D been on duty from two till four.

I went and stared at the dug-out door.

Down in the frowst I heard them snore.

‘Stand to!’ Somebody grunted and swore.

Dawn was misty; the skies were still;

Larks were singing, discordant, shrill;

They seemed happy; but I felt ill.

Deep in water I splashed my way

Up the trench to our bogged front line.

Rain had fallen the whole damned night.

O Jesus, send me a wound to-day,

And I’ll believe in Your bread and wine,

And get my bloody old sins washed white!