Palimpsest

Silks

Nimble fingers push and pull

The coloured threads

Through woven squares

Of precious finespun silk

Creating memories and mementos

For lonely khaki-coloured strangers

Both feared and welcomed

Before their dying.

For a few francs or guilders

And the smile of a pretty face,

A card adorned with flags and bunting

In patriotic Red, White and Blue

Trades hands, slipped into a tunic pocket

Safe from mud and blood.

Then a hasty note writ on the back

In a quaking hand that belies the horror

To put those minds at home to rest

“All is well.”

“No worries here.”

“Thinking of you.”

To calm their fears

And ease their tears

Now they are in my hands

Passed down to me

To treasure and preserve

Safe once more from mud and blood.

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