Soldiers awaiting departure, <br />a kiss for mum, cherished goodbyes, <br />a trio of golden haired angels <br />despite their 'short back and sides'. <br /> <br />On receiving 'call up papers' <br />then certainly, they had to go: <br />to fight for King and country <br />to territory they didn't know. <br /> <br />Innocent, unable to question, <br />dutiful boys of their word <br />toughened at home by father who <br />was skilled in the art of his belt. <br /> <br />So, brothers calling for sister, <br />but a child of only five; <br />hidden high up in the rafters <br />of the barn in the yard outside. <br /> <br />Sitting there quietly listening <br />name called just like in a game; <br />call her for 'THE VERY LAST TIME! ' <br />and call her once again. <br /> <br />For they really must be off now <br />and so had better make haste - <br />out of sight: she would detain them. <br />Unseen, perhaps they'd remain... <br /> <br />And after all fell silent <br />only then she really knew, <br />they'd gone away to be soldiers, <br />hands waving a fond farewell. <br /> <br />They didn't like to speak of it, <br />their experience of war, as <br />they smoked their 'fags' together <br />survivors one and all. <br /> <br />Thinking of 'Old England'.<br /><br />Gillian.E. Shaw<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/n-survivors-of-the-great-war/
