Libya (On Libya's Sand) Poem by Lawrence Frankpitt Fearby

From England to the muddy Nile

Where sunbeams greet the Sphinx's smile

From there to join the rank and file.



On Libya's Sand



By limpid ocean's blue

Where vegetation never grew

On past ruined Mersa-Matruh.



On Libya's Sand



From burning sun no welcome shade

Scorched, unwashed, unkempt, dismayed

Oh! water, where's thy cooling aid.



On Libya's Sand



Biscuits, Bully Beef and tea

A nauseating memory

But quite an appetizing three



On Libya's Sand



Hanging on by hair and teeth

In battered trucks that bounce beneath

Loose your hold and come to grief.



On Libya's Sand



Oh! Watch that deadly scorpion's bite

That joined tail, or quick as light

He'll taint you with his venomed spit.


On Libya's sand



Bombers swooping on their pray

Hurtle down the power to slay

Shattering bombs and cannon spray



On Libya's Sand



Ever whistling through the air

Shells that end this life's affair

To dig in ditch and shiver there



On Libya's Sand



Nightly as some parted soul

Lying in an oblong hole

Burrowed like the timorous mole.



On Libya's Sand



As the moon begins to wain

By light of plane the weary brain

Waits the dreaded Hooker plane.



On Libya's sand



If blessed sleep shall come at last

‘Tis but to wake to crash and blast

A German raider's roaring past



O'er Libya's Sand



Oh! death, destruction, devastation

Endless, empty desolation

Life to me's no jubilation



On Libya's Sand



For wife in England, miles away

Each night on stoney bed I'll pray

God send me back far far away



From Libya's Sand



Oh! you who mourn life's cruel blows.

Yet driving well find sweet repose

But pause a while and think of those.



On Libya's Sand



Lawrence F. Fearby

07/10/1942