The horror of war

"Boots" (1909), by Rudyard Kipling, is a dark and repetitive poem that captures the exhaustion and despair of soldiers marching endlessly. The monotonous rhythm of the repeated "Boots—boots—boots—boots" mimics the weight of the never-ending march, symbolizing the oppression of war and the loss of individuality. There is no heroism, only fatigue, dust, and an indistinct future. The poem delves into the mind of those who walk without hope, trapped in a mechanical and endless cycle, where even thought wears away, reduced to the simple sound of their own boots.