Harvey

tabloid revelations, the nation shocked.

no surprise.

‘Blair secret promise to Bush on Iraq Invasion'

a gin and tonic, and a tin of cashews.

deathly silence except for muffled whispers

about lamb stew, marble cake, and renovations.

no background music;

no crooners, no big band.

The Prince Albert; a jovial free house

waits in silence.

hard and soft cover books on dusty shelves.

clearly life stood still on the Fens -

old wall tiles dating back

and classic books from the sixties; a bonus at 20p

all proceeds to a worthy cause.

she sits alone, dressed in black

doodling on a small table

with condensation

from a pint on a soggy coaster;

a small poppy pinned to her coat.

so proud in his 6th Regiment uniform.

standing tall and bold

smiling at the lens of a forgotten cameraman;

smart in the small oak picture frame

on her table.

a dozen well-wishers say goodbye

leaving her with a large swollen envelope;

the proceeds accumulated over weeks -

a few hundred in coins, notes, and cheques.

'For Harvey' written on the front.