War - Ww2 - The Embarkation Leave Poem by Paul Warren

Blurry eyed and the tiredness remains
He could never sleep on troop trains
A night on the Overland train from Melbourne
From HMAS Cerberus with all thought of sleep gone

Off the train at the Adelaide Railway Station in the morning
Sea-bag on his shoulder he gathered his thoughts while yawning
He went to the departure board on the concourse and picked a train
To Port Adelaide from the Second Platform as the steam engine strains

It's the Second World War and servicemen travel free
His bag goes on the carriage floor as a spare seat he sees
And he sits wearily on the seat as the train makes its way
To Alberton and home for his embarkation leave stay

He walked from the station which each step a familiar ring
Being home again after twenty weeks made his heart sing
To the front gate after walking down from the street
His younger sister was the first one that he did greet

They went to the kitchen with happiness and kisses all around
And then his father entered the kitchen with a welcome sound
They had breakfast together and the family showed
And afterwards he slept in his room in happiness mode

In the evening clean and fresh in uniform pressed
He took the bus ride to his true love's address
They met for his love's longed for kiss
And told each other of the weeks they'd missed

The time passed and the hours spent together
Ensured their love would last for them forever
They walked the Torrens Lake hand in hand
And to Rundle Street to the pictures grand

Until the final day when the departure time came
They took the train to Adelaide to the Overland again
They stood arm in arm on the Platform and waited
Until the train time came and he left as it was fated.

© Paul Warren Poetry