You watched George
undress for bed,
made sure
he didn't slip
or fall with the shakes.
He had caused
a scene at dinner
and his mother asked you
to take him back
to his room.
He thought you his wife
and not the maid.
The shell shock
had disrupted
his thoughts and nerves.
He stood there naked
staring at the wall.
You picked up his pyjamas
and dressed him.
He was pliant
and stared at you.
Polly, what has
become of us?
he said.
He had tears
in his eyes.
We are safe,
George, you said.
His hands began
to shake again.
You held him close to you
sensing him shake and cry.
You didn't know
the sights and sounds
that haunted him;
what the War had done
was visible
before your eyes:
in his eyes
an old world died
and a world cursed by lies.
Mar 6, 2018
Mar 6, 2018 at 3:57 PM UTC
You watched George
undress for bed,
made sure
he didn't slip
or fall with the shakes.
He had caused
a scene at dinner
and his mother asked you
to take him back
to his room.
He thought you his wife
and not the maid.
The shell shock
had disrupted
his thoughts and nerves.
He stood there naked
staring at the wall.
You picked up his pyjamas
and dressed him.
He was pliant
and stared at you.
Polly, what has
become of us?
he said.
He had tears
in his eyes.
We are safe,
George, you said.
His hands began
to shake again.
You held him close to you
sensing him shake and cry.
You didn't know
the sights and sounds
that haunted him;
what the War had done
was visible
before your eyes:
in his eyes
an old world died
and a world cursed by lies.
