I said: “I leave my bit of land- <br />In khaki they've entwined me, <br />I go abroad to lend a hand.” <br />Said she: “My love, I understand. <br />I will be true, and though we part <br />A thousand years you hold my heart'- <br />The girl I left behind me. <br /> <br />I went away to fight the Huns- <br />No coward thought could bind me, <br />I sizzled n the tropic suns, <br />I faced the bayonets and the guns. <br />And when in daring deeds I shone <br />One little woman spurred me on- <br />The girl I left behind me. <br /> <br />Out there, in grim Gallipoli. <br />Hard going they assigned me, <br />I pricked the Turk up from the sea; <br />I riddled him, he punctured me; <br />And, bleeding in my rags, I said: <br />“She'll meet me somewhere if I'm dead- <br />The girl I left behind me. <br /> <br />In France we broke the German's face- <br />They tried with gas to blind me. <br />In mud we bogged from front to base, <br />And dirt was ours, but not disgrace. <br />They carved me till I couldn't stand. <br />Said I “Now for the Lodden, and <br />The girl I left behind me. <br /> <br />I came ashore, and struck the track; <br />For dust you scarce could find me. <br />The dear girl gave no welcome back- <br />Shed changed her names and state, alack! <br />“You've been a time, I must say, Ned, <br />In finishing your old war.” Said <br />The girl I left behind me. <br /> <br />I flung a song up to the skies. <br />For battles gods designed me. <br />I think of Fifi's laughing eyes, <br />And Nami, dusk, but sweet and wise, <br />And chortle in my heart to find <br />How very far I've left behind- <br />The girl I left behind me.<br /><br />Edward George Dyson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-girl-i-left-behind-me-2/
