HOSPITAL BLAST-WALL : Bernie Bruen

As we have all been reading Black Swan Green, we should all know that the falkland war was mentioned in an earlier part of the book. This poem written during the time of the war, comes out as an engaging read, for those of us who are interested in the current english material we're reading. The poet Bernie Bruen, describes the environment of a hot, muddy island, through using verbs, like slipping and sweating, rather than direct adjectives. This unique method of description and building atmosphere makes the poem more interesting to read, as well as a lot more lively, due to the use of verbs.

"Softly, now, and mind your noise.

Don't disturb the wounded boys - sleeping.

Though they dribble down your neck,

Put the sandbags on the deck - weeping.

Use the shingle from the shore.

Bring a couple hundred more - dripping.

Roundly, with a turn belay!

Detonator's on delay - slipping.

Time is short, so lift and haul;

Got to thicken up this wall - stacking.

"Beat the Clock to Beat the Bomb!"

Such a fitting axiom - cracking!

Strip to trousers, boots and belt.

Push yourself until you melt - sweating.

Heave 'em up; no time to lose,

Only minutes on the fuze setting.

Hacked it! - with a bag to spare,

Finest bulwark anywhere - lasting.

Let the sucker detonate;

No way it can penetrate - blasting."