BAYONET - By Mark Manning

OLD STEEL COLD STEEL

Bayonet

Summer 1981 Army Reserves

They had us go in to clean out some old Ordnance Stores

There they were ...still in their grease ...possibly untouched since world war one

May never have been used in anger but in design they were 18 inch steel ugly

Standing at attention to lacerate life.....slight serration for the soul taking task

Brutal Beauty Ruthless Efficiency

Old Cold Steel leap at you thrust up  or diagonal twist twist spurt kill kill kill

Just the look of them... and any sad delusions I had of wars glory

Were put to rest as back in their crate they went for another  64 years

And forever....as far as I was concerned.........

 

Mark Manning

2010