Watch For Me At Midnight Poem by David Harris

A long time ago, I kissed her
on the step of our front door
then marched away with other men
off to a foreign country
to fight in a distant war.

At first the letters came frequently
slowly diminishing to a few,
which got me thinking and worried
that in my long absence
I was slowly losing you.

Then I got a letter from your brother
that explained things to me
you were sick in hospital
and I should not worry
about our son and you.

The letters then stopped coming
each mail run I looked on in despair
that there were never any letters
from your brother or you
and my heart felt so heavy.

Then in the next summer
that dreaded letter came.
You had passed into God’s hands
in that early spring
leaving one last message for me.

When you come home my dear
I will not be here
I leave in your trust our son
may he grow up to be
a man just like you.

Fear not you will see me again
if you go down to the fairy wood
and find the circle where the fairies play
and watch for me at midnight
under the haze of the moon.


3 March 2011