The Pigeons That Went to War, "Far Up Front"

From The Pigeons That Went to War by Gordon H. Hayes

 Far Up Front

The American Pigeon, brave and bright

Awaits the signal for another flight

To carry a message for the commander’s sight.

The whir and whistle of the flying shell

Envelops the platoon in a fiery hell.

The prospect fierce, the strain intense-

A pigeon released to call for defense.

The message delivered

It zooms skyward

For instinct sure and valiance known,

Back to its loft it speeds alone.

The roar of battle, the mortar mid-air

Would slow it not nor cause despair

The hawkish shrapnel claims its prey-

Another war pigeon aft a hapless fray.

Some are fortunate, others are not,

While many live, many may not.

Struck in the heart the pigeon bled

It faltered not, nor its courage fled-

Desperate and struggling to reach its goal

To deliver the SOS of many a soul

Hands went quick and minds click,

Instantly the action went thick

Out went support, the situation won,

The weary soldiers thanked a pigeon.

The even sun sank westward ho;

The course of battle to and fro;

Another death has stirred the scroll-

A pigeon was etched on the honor roll.

                                               Sgt. Edward E. Reicher

Florence, Italy

May 23, 1944