Southampton Dock

1. They disembarked in 45

and no one spoke and no one smiled

There were too many spaces in the line

Gathered at the cenotaph

All agreed with the hand on heart

To sheath the sacrificial knifes

*: But now...

2. She stands upon Southampton dock

with her handkerchief and her summer frock

Clings to her wet body in the rain

In quiet desperation knuckles

white upon the slippery reins

She bravely waves the boys goodbye again

3. And still the dark stain spreads

between her shoulder blades

A mute reminder of the

poppy fields and graves

And when the fight was over

we spent what they had made

But... in the bottom of our hearts

we felt the final cut.