Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Things I Wish I’d Told You

This is a silly one where I experimented with rhyme and a bit of a palindromic structure!



My good friend, steadfast tin soldier,

And years of wishing I’d been bolder

When your tin soldier boots march you away 

From your girl at home, and things she didn’t say.


Wave goodbye, steadfast tin soldier,

But turn and glance over your shoulder

To childhood, measured in ruler-spans-

A memory of how we began:


Tin toy face, enchanted glass look

A hearth was lit, a matchstick struck.

The clacking knells and whizzing bells of my toy shop heart-

Confirmation of an infatuation fated to start.


Music-box laughter on cross-legged floors

When our amusement left us silly-sore,

Stitched up sides and wiping weeping eyes

At marriage, a carriage and all it implies.


Or when we grew up to be Capital-Cee Clever,

Stroking our chins and humming hmmm forever

Trading half-baked knowledge, taste the weight it brings

Old chap, how did we enjoy such childish things?


Then my cat-burglar thieving glances,

Your metallic smile, quick, consider my chances

But paper would fold herself to origami

For the smiling boy in the tin can army.


So I thought I never could have you for myself,

Put my favourite toy on the farthest shelf

Bit my heart and locked my tongue away

I’ve had enough now, I don’t want to play.


My old friend, steadfast tin soldier,

Outstretched hand, tentative, closer

If your heart ticked too, why didn’t you say,

Until we had less tomorrows than yesterdays?


Wave goodbye, steadfast tin soldier-

and the leaving we do as we get older.

A figure on the horizon, I couldn’t confess

Don’t let it mean I loved you less.



From Blogger iPhone client

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