Dunkirk 1940 Poem by Terry Collett

Dunkirk 1940.
Clive died there
on the beach.

I remember
the last night
we had together
before he went off
with his regiment.

I had given
my maid
the night off
so we could be
alone together.

We made love
a few times
then talked
then slept.

After the War Grace
he said
we must marry
and settle down
and have a family.

But he died.

I lay here now
in the hospital
blind and
without legs
and left only
the memories
of Clive and I.

Anthony and Guy
visited today
they said Philip
had gone on business
for the government
and would see me
later in the week.

I sat in wheelchair
as they spoke outside
in the afternoon sun
trying to picture
Anthony as he spoke.

I'd only met him
a few times before.

Guy was his usual self
boastful humorous
full of his
upper-class jokes.

Now they have gone
and I am here alone.

The memory
of Clive chokes.