Remember Mary

She heard the bell, the bike, the knock
She trembled with her state of shock
As there beyond the wooden door
A boy in blue, fourteen, or more
Whom stood below the steps two deep
As she felt her body build to weep
She pulled the door and there he was
He stood forlorn because because
The slip of paper ended life
How could she cope, the poor dear wife
He stuttered with a morning greet
She stood so silent dressed so neat
When time stood still, he passed the note
The telegram, the standard quote
She grasped it tightly in her hand
Then gazed across to foreign land
She closed the door and sank to knees
I hope he’s missing, oh God, please
She placed it on the mantle piece
Left it closed with neatened crease
That’s where it stayed until she died
That’s what she held those times she cried
A message that she wouldn’t read
As that would bring a ghastly need
To mourn and hate that dreadful war
Where many families lost much more
She’s buried now, it’s in her hand
That sorrowed note, still crisp and grand
Her life had been of pain and joy
She so adored her eldest boy

©️KarlTearney