Explore "Poems: The Chances" by Wilfred Owen on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
I mind as 'ow the night afore that show / Us five got talking, -- we was in the know, / "Over the top to-morrer; boys, we're for it, / First wave we are, first ruddy wave; that's tore it." / "Ah well," says Jimmy, -- an' 'e's seen some scrappin' -- / "There ain't more nor five things as can 'appen; / Ye get knocked out; else wounded -- bad or cushy; / Scuppered; or nowt except yer feeling mushy."
One of us got the knock-out, blown to chops. / T'other was hurt, like, losin' both 'is props. / An' one, to use the word of 'ypocrites, / 'Ad the misfortoon to be took by Fritz. / Now me, I wasn't scratched, praise God Almighty / (Though next time please I'll thank 'im for a blighty), / But poor young Jim, 'e's livin' an' 'e's not; / 'E reckoned 'e'd five chances, an' 'e's 'ad; / 'E's wounded, killed, and pris'ner, all the lot -- / The ruddy lot all rolled in one. Jim's mad.