'Heartbreak' Poem by Res John Burman

“Heartbreak”


I remember those heady days
When we both thought
This might be the real thing.

Exploring likes and experiences
Enjoying the shared discoveries.

Remember the Gurkhas?
How fond I was of them
How proud I was
Of my service with them?

What fun we had drinking
Rice wine in Longhouses
With the Headhunter’s trophies
Hanging above our heads.

How delighted I was
When I heard you say,
“Mum used to date Gurkha Officers.”
Still delighted, I asked,
“What, Nepalese Gurkha Officers? ”

The horror in your voice
Was echoed, chill, in my heart.
“No…” you shrieked, “No… No…
White Men… White Men…
They were White Officers! ”

In such glimpses through
The curtain to your soul
Heartbreak is born!
Things were never the same!
And there is no going back!

© Res JFB 27th March 2013