Two-Bob

The rain was what was remembered most As it tumbled down on that northern coast Milne Bay was our base and we stayed Against the Japanese when they held sway When I left home I said goodbye to her A tear and a wave as my heart did stir In my pocket I had a two-bob piece Feeling it now gives me some comfort and release On one side there was our King held dear And the other side the Australian coat of arms so clear So sitting in the slit trench I decided then To send it to her to show our love will not end Soon the king disappeared from the coin face As I rubbed it to a flat empty trace And I wondered what to write on it As a keepsake for her and our love forever to fit So I wrote on it where I had been In the war against the Japanese not ever clean And how I fashioned it for her alone When my thoughts were of her as I wanted it known I posted it back to her with a letter of love Showing her my love fitting like a hand in a glove And when the war was over and I came home She showed it to me wearing it around her neck alone. © Paul Warren Poetry Australian servicemen adapted Australian coins and sent them to loved ones as tokens of affection and love.