Soldier of Fortune 1919

I’m a soldier of fortune Just home from the War Begging for food from The woman at this door. She took me to her kitchen Fed me cold pie and beer Looked at me intensely No anxiety or fear. She murmured very quietly There’s a human under there Then she took some scissors And barbered my hair. Then with what it seemed Was a practiced grace Produced a cut throat razor To carefully shave my face. She looked at my quite shyly Surprising me when she said Such a handsome gentleman Deserves a night in my bed. We shared together then an Hour of pleasure and delight. And then she held me tightly For the rest of that night. She asked me to leave Just as dawn had broken One kiss goodbye, very Few words being spoken I think perhaps she’d lost Her beloved in my war But I’d never asked and She never said anymore. I now carried more rations In my much heavier pack Which was again slung Hanging from my back. And I’m back tramping the roads Knowing they’d call me back when It suited their interests to make me A Soldier of fortune once again.