FOR YOUR TOMORROW

Bob Salter writes:

The following poem was inspired by recent events. I was thinking about those on the front line in all walks of life, those that have gone the extra mile. As I sat sipping my glass of Chenin Blanc, it struck me that one day' all of this will be in the history books. School children will ask their parents or grandparents to tell them stories about what happened and was he or she one of those that went that extra mile. The poem is written on the "up-beat," highlighting the good that came from the chaos. As with all wars!

Tell me Daddy. What did you do in the war of 2020. Was it heaven or was It hell? Well my son, I and many others, brought love and hope to those that weren’t so well.

So did you feel afraid Daddy and want to come on home? Oh no my child. I just counted all my blessings, then I never felt alone.

Were you a soldier Daddy, and did you have a gun? Yes I was a soldier, but I didn't need a gun. We fought with hearts and souls until the job was done

Now tell me Daddy please, of all the many things you’ve seen. Was it really awful? Did it chill you to the core? No my precious one, I saw deeds by driven people that I’d never seen before.

I saw a wondrous army dressed in green, in blue and brown. I saw them fight against all odds, battle worn and weary until the sun went down.

I saw children in their gardens playing games with one another. Laughing with their father and reading with their mothers.

I saw neighbour wave to neighbour and to those not met before. I saw smiling men and women taking food from door to door.

I saw blue skies turn red as the sun went down. Once I shed a tear with no-one else around.

One day, when you’re older, I’ll talk more about the war. Not about the bad things, but all the wonders that I saw.

Now go to sleep beside me for tonight there is no sorrow. And I’ll remember those who fought and won to bring you your tomorrow.