Here you will find the Poem Apples And Water of poet Robert Graves
Dust in a cloud, blinding weather, Drums that rattle and roar! A mother and daughter stood together Beside their cottage door. 'Mother, the heavens are bright like brass, The dust is shaken high, With labouring breath the soldiers pass, Their lips are cracked and dry.' 'Mother, I'll throw them apples down, I'll bring them pails of water.' The mother turned with an angry frown Holding back her daughter. 'But mother, see, they faint with thirst, They march away to die,' 'Ah, sweet, had I but known at first Their throats are always dry.' 'There is no water can supply them In western streams that flow, There is no fruit can satisfy them On orchard trees that grow.' 'Once in my youth I gave, poor fool, A soldier apples and water, So may I die before you cool Your father's drouth, my daughter.'