Two Minutes Will Do
~ ~ ~
They’re coming soon:
Those old men with their walking sticks.
They’re dusting off their berets,
Ironing the regimental blazer with the gold-threaded badge,
Checking those medals, from land, sea and air.
Time for a smudge of polish on the shoe,
Two minutes will do.

They’re coming soon:
Those old men with their walking sticks,
And younger men and women.
More than ever before.
Wearing newer medals, from land, sea and air
Time for young ones and old ones together,
Two minutes will do.

They’re coming soon:
They’re coming to our streets.
Marching proudly line abreast.
With drums beating,
Standards flying,
And medals gleaming.
…. And silent memories too…Two minutes will do

They’re coming soon….All of them,
They’re going to the cenotaph,
Carrying their flags and their medals and their memories,
… Two by two….
This year… More than any other year….Two minutes will do…
~
Extracted from Sunset...Paul Anthony