A.R. “David” Lewis

WALK IN A SUNKEN LANE

I strolled up the lane enjoying my walk,
Steep banks on each side providing shade.
The smell of Honeysuckle, primroses, and violets,
Competing to enhance the peaceful scene.
Then with a screech, and a terrifying roar,
A R.A.F. Tornado on a training flight,
shattered the peace, silenced the birds,
It was closely followed by three more,
Playing follow my leader up the valley core.

I sank down on the bank, deafened by blast,
Shocked, I sat recovering slowly.
My thoughts went back to another such lane,
A wartime Normandy lane; it’s steep banks giving shelter.
There I walked beside Joe Hellings and his section of men,
Making our way to the start of an attack.
Joe had just said “Nice safe approach, plenty of cover.”
I stopped, turned around, urging those following to catch up.
Then without warning the shells crashed down.

Blown off my feet, I could see the smoke,
Smell the cordite, but was deaf from the blast.
Joe and his men lay dead in the lane.
I picked them up, laid them side by side on the bank.
Sent back some wounded to the first aid post.
Then, still deafened, I ran to catch up,
To take my place to start the attack.
Memories pushed to the back of my mind,
The sound subsided. But the pictures remained.