He stood in the darkness of the C-130’s hold
Time seemed to have stopped a minute so slow
Waiting in the silence for the men outside to go
They’d come dressed to honour their friends
Standing to attention to give that last salute
To the fallen in the coffins draped with union flags
He watched the flag lowered slowly to the ground
He stood to attention and listened to the padre’s words
He’d watched men stood stiff and heard the bugle blow
Holding themselves together for that final show
Carrying each coffin into the planes hot steel hold
The ramp was raised and that silent blackness again.
RAC
