A patch of yellow and blue
sewn on army fatigues
caught my eye as I sat
talking about sons and daughters
in a busy café
sons and daughters
now fathers and mothers working
in medicine, education
a craftsman and retail assistant
getting to the end of a busy week
the man in the army fatigues
strode past the window
smart, clean of face
dressed as a soldier of Ukraine
heading where I couldn’t guess
we don’t see soldiers much these days
only in the news and recruitment ads
or when the wreaths are laid
in front of the City Hall steps
in November when we remember our dead
~
CLP 08/03/2024
Journey of Words 