Gone Before

The sum of what has gone before Bulldozed throughout a slumlord block, Evacuated, emptied souls, Gutted, barrel, lock and stock. Then ring-fenced in a shield of steel, Buried in a foreign field, Protected from the agony, The savage reap of winter yield. We ran, in fear, poles apart, Retreated, hid in separate beds; Solitaire and servitude Beneath the sheets with buried heads. Moving on meant standing still Whilst superficial love and care Clipped the tickets torn in two, No transit takes us anywhere. The sum of what has gone before Burgeoned with a black campaign, Left only sole surviving prayers That one day we may love again.