Day: November 13, 2023

Absence

…

Present absent lost.

He was here there

but parts were absent

lost on an Italian beach

amid 90 per cent casualties.

…

Locked in a camp

with one water faucet

and 7000 thirsty starving men

waiting for red cross parcels.

…

He never wore

his campaign medals

or marched

up and down

…

Saluting cenotaphs

as old soldiers do

at the parades

each year in town.

…

We lived

with photographs

sealed in a black box

locked under his bed.

…

Photographs taken

of pre-war days

Serpentine deck chairs

of Regents park.

…

Hyde Park

Speakers Corner

on Sundays

and those friends

…

His memories

all gone

now then

and now he’s gone too.

“Absence” First published in “Uncertain Times” ©robcullen

©robcullen fotocredit ©RobCullen

Performing will be Raine Geoghan, Sophie Buchaillard, Mary Kaye, Mike Jenkins, Topher Mills, Mark MC Smith, Nick McGaughey, Pete Akinwunmi & Rob Cullen.

VoicesontheBridge is organised by Rob Cullen.

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