There were soldiers marching on the common
today
They were there again this evening
They paced up and down like seabirds on the ground
Before the stormclouds gathering
I must buy whatever tinned food is left on
the shelves
They’re testing the air raid sirens
They’ve filled up the blood banks and emptied the beds
At the hospital and the asylum.
I saw a man build a shelter in his garden
today
As we stood there idly chatting,
He said, "no, no, I don’t think war will come,"
Yet still he carried on digging.
Everything in my life that I love
Could be swept away without warning
Yet the birds still sing and the church bells ring
And the sun came up this morning.