1947 post war England
The. Invasion force took
the never ending war
to the other side of the English channel.
It had been long in coming
but they were ready.
The invasion landing craft
were rusty made of iron and steel
like the men aboard them
They were all afraid.
They knew their losses would be many.
They knew it might be them that was killed.
But the duty was absolute
for each and every one of them.
He was a teacher, not a soldier
but wars had made him into to one.
He could not recollect
when he even shot
a firearm at an enemy.
Or even if he could.
He was not an avid soldier
but he must do his duty.
He knew this
as he looked at the men
in the crowded landing craft.
The beach was silent no chaos
but in moments that would change,
the protective front dropped to the ground.
As he rushed forward
as though an electric light switch
had been galvanized.
the mayhem started
machine gun fire and rockets
bombarded them.
He saw his friend Johnny hit badly
in the chest it was fatal.
He dropped His weapon
and cradled the young man in his arms.
He died there calling for his mother.
The rocket shell exploded next to him
and he fell next to his friend
and lay as dead.
Three years later
The military hospital was always
full so much pain so much grief.
The Irish nurse was cleaning the soldier
that had been in a coma
since his arrival several years ago.
She had bright green eyes
and red hair the trademark traits
of an Irish lady
a woman who drank a can of hope and stubborn
every morning for breakfast.
She noticed his fingers moving
Well now, she whispered
Its himself.
He's with is thanks be to Jesus.
His eyes opened they were
blue and beautiful.
Your back with us are you now?
so she said.
I thought you were going
to sleep forever
so I did
Where am I?
he said almost in a whispered
Am I dead?
No your back with the living she smiled.
It was the start of his recuperation
she helped him move his
anthropic muscles.
and learn how to walk again
she told him of the war
being over and won.
After six months he was well enough
to leave the hospital.
He had even interviewed for a teaching post
at grey castle school for boys.
The doctors told him to take a vacation
Perhaps on the railway
to help in resolving himself
with the post-war world.
He took the sleeper train from Euston station
in London and set forth on his adventure.
The old coal-fired engine set forward
to Scotland it was peaceful
as he passed the green towns
of England county by county.
Until re reached Scotland.
Ahh! Scotland
so far away from a London
he no longer wished to see
after its desolation from the bombs.
He trembled as he thought of the war.
As the train trundled past lochs and mountains
of Scotland gleaming in the rare sunlight
he felt a peace that had eluded him for so long.
She alighted the train at Inverness
so beautiful and yes, enticing.
Even to a stodgy old
out of work schoolmaster like him.
She sat opposite to him in the old carriage.
After while she opened
her huge purse an took out a
package of sandwiches.
Would you care for one she asked softly.?
Normal reticence was overtaken by hunger
Yes please, that would be lovely. he said.
He bought two weak after war coffees
from the charlady.
And two custard creams.
They talked he did not realize.
How much he had missed
the conversations with an attractive lady.
He told her of his war issues
how he had lost several years in a coma
She listened intently to him.
He realized that such a beautiful woman
would have no interest
in an old stodgy
Old school teacher like him.
But she was sweet
and kept asking him more details
about himself.
He knew he had no skills
in charming the fairer sex.
Only his love of literature
Shakespeare plato Chaucer
but she did not seem to mind.
By the time the train reached Crewe
he realized that he was in love with her.
The train inched its way back
into Euston station
On a trip, he did not want to end
The window was open a piece of coal dust
from the engine found its way into his eye.
she rolled the edge of her handkerchief
and got the speck of soot out of his eye.
The pain subsided immediately
Then she pulled his face to hers
and kissed him.
Full on The mouth.
I have never kissed a man
Unintroduced before she said.
But you are so very shy.
Forty-five years later
They were old now he was dying
They lived in the house
allocated to headmaster emeritus
of grey castle school
a post he held for some twenty-five years.
She leaned over his bed
and said do you remember
the train my love.?
Even in leaving her he smiled
yes my Darling
You shared your ham sandwich with me.
And then you kissed me first.
that's because I found my life partner.
Like this she said
he saw her crystal grey eyes
Still as beautiful as the day
they captured his heart so long ago.
The sweet fragrance and the softness of her lips.
He passed from her
The last breath of his in this world
Was left on her lips.
The train was traveling through the daylight
scotland came into view the lochs
and mountains the purple heather.
The old charlady came into the carriage
He bought two coffees and two custard tarts.
Be patient sir she whispered kindly,
She will be joining us very soon.
At Inverness.