War Widow

+ War Widow +
At the window caught a glimpse
Head bowed down and back an arch
Arms spindly and thin
A veteran of Time lived
Those eyes not as good
As once they were before
Having seen so much of peace
Experienced so much of war
Her voice was kind and slow
Crackled like a crystal set
Sometimes signal completely clear
Sometimes signal beset
By tremors of emotion
By what was lost not won
Her husband how strapping he was
An Anzac proud and tall
Child of the Mallee
A farmer meant to grow not kill
They married young and quickly
As was the way before
Those miracle drugs which could cure
All the things which ailed you
And before the first child was born
He was off to war
Survived the landing at Gallipoli
And got off again
Lasted six months on Western Front
Till his time had come
A widow's pension all she got
Married again some years later
His son grew up and died
Outside Toburk it seems
Another war to decide
The way that we should live
Pulled another strip from her heart
Those generals she could not forgive
And the Germans would never be
Invited around for tea
This long lived reminder
Twisted stunted Mallee tree
Of the cost which was paid
To allow us to say we are free.