Wages of War

He had telephoned her.
It was time for her to meet the train.
He had not wanted her to go;
He had sent no money.

She asked a passerby for help.
"He wants me to come, but
He has one more thing to do.
Can you loan me the fare?"

Their child clung to her breast.
"Lock him in the garage, and
He won’t cry anymore."
Said the passerby.

"No,
I’ll hold him, and
He won’t cry anymore."
She told the passerby.

II

"You’ve got a window!"
The radar intercept officer called.
He stepped out onto his wing and saw
She was doubled over on the ground.

She was crying uncontrollably before
The locked door of the garage
That kept their child
Forever from him.

©  Rosemarie Skaine, 2003