In a drawer she keeps them, his chestful of medals. In a Schiaparelli nylons box faintly scented with Shocking, which looks as old as they are. Did he give her the stockings when he came home from leave? Or when he returned, a half-broken man?

sound of a bugle
the shine in the eyes
of my mother
.
Lest We Forget
ANZAC DAY, 2018