War Poetry

The Girl Who Stayed at Home

My love put on his battledress
And then he went away
I kissed him at the station
But that was yesterday
That was yesterday my love
And now the tears are dried
And I sit upon the beach
With a new love by my side.

My love was dressed in navy blue
The sweethearts in a row
Stood waving from the quayside
But that was a month ago
Thirty days ago my love
The heart must keep warm
So I walk in the city
With a new love on my arm.

My love wore his shining wings
A speck in the air
I watched him I watched him
But that was last year
Spring comes again my love
And now you are dead
And the old pain returning
And a new love in my bed.

by M.K. Joseph