Victory

 

Today

He had his head down

Holding his breath

So the snipers couldn’t hear him

Laying flat

In the Burmese dust

With the flies and mosquitos

From the green canopy

Hovering over him

Like Kamikaze

 

Today

He feasted on

Meagre rations

And drank a warm tepid water

Drawn from a dirty stream

Somewhere

Something exploded

And debris rained

From the heavens

And pounded the earth

 

Today

It started to rain

And everything turned to mud

A warm clinging sludge

That dragged deeper

Into despair

This war

This never ending war

So far away

From home

 

Today

He heard faint echoes

Of those rejoicing

And the fluttering sound

Of bunting and little flags

Just another day they say

Just another day

Until you too

Will be there

In Trafalgar Square

 

Today

A win of sorts

But not for him

Not for many

Still fighting

Still dying

Still hoping

Beyond hope

For victory

over Japan