THE CASUALTY LIST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 6, 7 May 1915, Page 7

THE CASUALTY LIST.

(Written for the Christchurch Sun.) W\iting, longing, and dreading—what do the cables bring ? What is the news of the boys who are lighting for land and King? Grey-haired mothers and fathers, girls that they've held and kissed, A'aiting, and longing, and dreading—dreading the Casualty List!

.ivvil't as tlie lightning flashes, or the bird that darts from the skies, Over the land and ocean', onward the dread message Hies; IT we but knew its import, well might we cry "Desist! Spare us a little longer—keep back the Casualty .List!" .Cone to their doom, those brave ones, with never a backward glance. Daring a splendid hazard, playing the game of chance— Playing the game of England—and never a rule was missed ; Xow . . . hear the newsboys calling : "Extra! . . . The Casualty List!" Picture the scene of battle—the sounds that are grim and deep, And the lust of the blood awakened from the veil of a death-like sleep; Ah, but the pictures vanish, for the hand of grief is a-twist, And many a heart is an empty room . . and Life is a Casualty List!