Anonymous British

A Story of Today

An open drawer, a woman lowly kneeling, Some little crimson shoes, a lock of hair, Some childish toys, an engine and a trumpet, A headless horse, a battered Teddy bear. Some school-boy books all inky, torn and thumb-marked, A treasured bat, his favourite cricket ball, The things he loved, the letters that he wrote to her – And now she places on top of all A soldier's sword, his photograph, in khaki – The boyish eyes smile back into her eyes, While in her hand she holds a V. C. tightly. And in her heart a grave in Flanders lies.