WHY WORRY ?

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1917, Page 4

WHY WORRY ?

THE LITANY OF THE “POILU” It is neither a paean of civilisation nor a hymn of hate. Tt is no vainglorious boast like the German "Gott Mit [ins!” for the “poilu” is like the Englishman and American in his hatred for high sounding phrases. The litany of the ••poilu” is a trench jest said to bo of the “poilu” is a trench jest said to be very popular along the Aisne, a little humour aimed to break the suspense and strain of waiting under shell-lire saving nothing about the objects of the war or the purpose of the soldiers, because those arc taken for granted. -Here it is:

Of two things one is certain: Either your mobilised or your're not mobilised.

If your mobilised there is no need to worrv: if yon are mobilised, of two tilings one is certain: Either you're behind the lines or you’re on the front. If you’re behind tlie lines there is no need to worry : if you've on the front of two things your certain: either your res Ling in a safe place or you're exposed to danger. If you’re resting in a safe place there is no need (<} worry : ; it you’re exposed to danger, of two things one is certain : Either your wounded or your not wounded.

If you’re not wounded there is no need to worry; if you are wounded, o| two things one is certain: either you re wounded seriously or you re wounded slightly. If your wounded slightly there is no need to worry: if you’re wounded seriously, of two things one is certain: Either you recover or you die. If you recover there is no need to worry; if you die there is no need to worrv: if vou die you can’t worry.