Evacuation

Gas masks

at the station

noosed round necks

instead of scarves.

We grouped together

cold was dark

blazered

sullen-faced.

Our parents waved

arms unfurled

squeezed through gaps in gates,

and tears stirred behind small eyes

as we deserted them.

The train hissed

and mushroomed clouds

bloomed from its stack,

before it roared

to chase pale dawn down the track.

Scraped cities fell behind – drowned beneath

burned brick,

and we see the smoke

and hear the souls of blue-lipped bodies rise

as they soar towards unearthly realms.

 

They say we’re safe in this house.

It doesn’t groan,

doesn’t shiver,

no light bleeds through black curtains,

and only moths make the faint lights flicker.

They say we’re safe in this house.

But no one is war is safe.

No one in war is free.

They say we’re safe in this house

but I can never stand at ease. 

Performed by Theatre With Teeth