On Revisiting the Somme

As we approach the centenary of the end of the First World War, a monument to commemorate the Scottish poets who fought in that conflict is to be erected in Edinburgh’s Makars’ Court, and the public gets to decide whose words will be etched on to the monument via an online poll from a choice of six quotes selected from poems. JE Stewart’s poem On Revisiting the Somme provides one of these: “Make our story shine / In the fierce light it craves”. His work, and that of the other five poets featured in the poll, can be found at www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/wtzjgj2). The poll runs until Friday.

If I were but a Journalist, And had a heading every day In double-column caps, I wist I, too, could make it pay;

But still for me the shadow lies Of tragedy. I cannot write Of these so many Calvaries As of a pageant fight;

For dead men look me through and through With their blind eyes, and mutely cry My name, as I were one they knew In that red-rimmed July;

Others on new sensation bent Will wander here, with some glib guide Insufferably eloquent Of secrets we would hide –

Hide in this battered crumbling line Hide in these promiscuous graves, Till one shall make our story shine In the fierce light it craves.

You can find volumes of the poetry of the First World War at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT. For poetry enquiries, e-mail reception@spl.org.uk or visit www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk.