This poem was written by my father in law while lying at night in a trench at El Alimien, C Coy 8th Royal Scots 1939 - 1945 x THE MOON Oft have I wondered why you smile Upon this arid land where death prevails And all the while Blood ! Stains the desert sand Is it a wan smile of pity Or of some secret glee That laughs at men,s futility Trying to out shine thee. The work of Nature, in whose hands God put the world to lead Whom man has failed to understand, Is master of all creeds. He said thou art gardeners of these lands To control sun, wind and rains Of life thou plant the beauteous fields While man plants only inhumanity to man ! Andrew Thomson