Did you wave your son goodbye?

Did you wave your son goodbye,
Bite your lip, hide teary eye,
Were you proud, warm of heart,
That your child looked so smart,
Not knowing that upon the Somme
His last cried word was "Mom"?

When he slung arms looked so grand,
Marched the generation in wake of band,
Did you realise then, oh the pain,
Of never seeing your only son again,
As he grew into youth through years,
Did you know the reality of your fears?

Have you images of might have been,
Of wedding bells, fresh collar, looking clean,
Do you crave good times yesterday, tomorrow,
While every thought your mind etches sorrow,
Who do you blame because he is not here,
Who took your boy of only nineteen years?

How did he die, bullet, bayonet or shell,
Was the boy brave man, please story tell,
Streets full of mourners all lost sons too,
But was not yours so special just to you,
Were others not tall, elegant and serene,
Perhaps yours the best that has ever been?

Do you feel it not real, only nightmare,
Shiver down your spine, proof he is here,
Does he visit you in dreams day and night,
To tell you that he survived the hell of fight,
You never believe because of pointless war,
The son you will love for ever is no more?

Hold my hand as we inspect the dead,
Here in line the stones names are read,
A million sons died here in endless mud,
Yours and mine gave for nation blood,
At this time be not ashamed of crying eye,
For now you must wave your son goodbye.

And other generations will ply the trade of killing
Ending up in rows grasping their King’s shilling
How many heroes are laid down and dying
Mothers at home, empty, hurt and crying
Count not in the field all those white crosses
Nor ask the generals how great the loss is.

Just remember them.