Furth, Fortune


Boots up on the bountiful haycart,
Dreaming of France -
He's lost among the cherry trees
All ghostly white.

Dear Mrs Gray,  I cannot tell you
What sorrow it gives me to write this letter,
And I know what it must mean to you...

The auctioned farm, 
The spotless house,
The daughters in empty dance halls.

Distinguished on the War Memorial,
Long lichen-covered names -
Unmentioned men,  disowned buffoons
In permanent disgrace.