Today’spoem

LONDON 1942

Euston Station ’42, a kiss from a sobbing Mum, A little boy of seven, for him the day had come. He didn’t cry, but wondered why he had to go away,

And why his Mum was crying. Why did she have to stay?

All around were others, too, gas masks around the neck,

Each had a sarnie for the train while Mums made a final check.

The tannoy barked, Mum held him close: ‘Children, on the train!’

She wondered with a final sob when would she hug again?

Final waves and kisses blown, grief on every face,

The train then slowly disappeared to find another place. Hardened soldiers, passing through, on their way to war,

Held back tears at what they’d seen, not witnessed that before. Gradually the women left, back to homes without a heart,

Did they regret this action, their families now torn apart?

For some it would be many years, some children would have changed, They’d grown up in a different world, their family estranged. Eighty years have somehow flown, the memory is still strong. We never spoke about it, Mum, but you did nothing wrong.

Charlie Horner, Bognor Regis, W. Sussex.