Caducus1 Nov 2004

Okay GW I will explain but am surprised you never got this because as metaphors go they're not too challenging.

Mother rolled : photo in his hand
desperation eviscerated her into rips from the last embrace: the charge, the fear and adrenalin making him squeeze on to the photo in comfort thus ripping her.

the unimmaculate life, now immaculate: from a working class man in rags to a soldier, a hero, immortalized and immaculate, memorable not forgetable.

top pockets cheacked for a letter or trinket: as was the case in battlefields those with a home address were contacted so telegrams could be sent quicker.

the letter written in capitals: a reference to his age (14) shows his immaturity. Lord Litcheners recruitment of soldiers under the conscription age was a well known controversy, he sent marshals to intimidate any young man walking a street in england laden them with guilt and almost forced to sign, ignoring the age.

charred at the end pristine at the start : letter burning in the battlefield also synonymous with his life. As a child pristine as a soldier charred -dead. As a man ...it never happened his life was cut short.

The end stanza is self explanatory.

Why did you think this one in particular is incomprehensible?