HIS FARAWAY STARE 1916

A MAID AND THE MAN WITH SHELL SHOCK KIN 1916

You are not
to go into
Master George's room
unless told to

Dudman the butler says
eyeing her sternly
Susie can take
his meals to him

and the nurse there
can nurse him
Polly says nothing
and walks away

back to her task
of polishing silver
watching him go off
and talk to the cook

and nod his head
Polly wants
the old George back
not the broken man

the War has harmed
in mind and soul
she remembers
when he was home last

from the Front
she lay in his bed
and they made love
in the late hours

of the night
him shafting her
to a kingdom come
remember what I said

Dudman says
passing her by
with that dark stare
in his eye

Polly watches him go
wishes she could
but knows best not
the nurse will be there

and George will be sat
at the window
with his lost
faraway stare.