A Crystal Ball

“Listen Martha! The paper's come, something's happened: 'The Germans glare

At the Andrew, but admit they cannot frighten or defeat it', dear.

That's Kaiser Bill's doing, a warmonger all can see - Queen Vicky's in-law. Spare

Us from the madmen that play people like chess. They'll not cheer.

Yes, and look! 'The Balkans aflame once more – the Turks in flight again,

The Greeks will cry triumphant'. On and on! The Turks will lose this time;

Mark this: Europe's a powder keg, needs but angry words, fuse and flame

To bring it to its knees. There's a war coming, Martha, men will climb

Into uniform once more, just like in the Boer War. Oh please don't cry,

Martha, you'll awaken the children; Bobby's too young, but why, oh why?

By the way, I walked past the new Post Office today – by the Town Hall,

Beautiful signs picked out in red: “G.R.” and “1913”. Seemed wasteful, that's all.

 

 

Chris Hubbard

2020

In memory of my grandfather, who fought at the Battle of the Somme.