Northam Hospital

Resting

small upon the bed

emaciated nd faded

with age

no interest or strength for food

so he has to be fed.

As I sit there by the bed

a light shines from his eyes

tears flow, sits up

"Fremantle!

After three bloody years

in South Africa!"

I am on that troopship

coming home

a young, old handsome man

sickened by the war

with releif I see my homeland

growing larger, coming nearer

and I weep

and wash the pain

down gutters of my soul.

"Three, long, bloody years!"

Falling back

he departs

leaving me

with his vision.