Calmacott’s Brother (part two)
Author’s note: This gentleman turned up in the background of my first illustration for Calmacott’s Brother, so I’m letting him have his moment.
The Folly
Calmacott’s Brother
Calmacott’s Brother (two)
It was full dark by that time
We were not prisoners, only crippled men
Most, pleased enough to find their beds, but I
‘Lieutenant, you’re well recovered,’ the doctor said
That mate of mine I’d introduced you to
Barnstow, and Quartermaster Jones, had got our orders
In Blighty we were safe from harm
In Blighty would remain
I’d spun a yarn
Camped like gypsies underground
A raiding party foraging
But bound to make amends one day
Keeping good accounts
‘It’s our chance,’ Barnstow said.
He plucked my sleeve. ‘It’s our chance, Michael.’
Do you recollect, Henry, how nights when the moon was full
We’d drop over the window ledge and roam the fields free
Bathed in astonishing illumination
So I had supposed, as I’d been nominated chief
I still would know the country
A landmark would remind me
The devil walks by night, they say, we three
Having cast our lot with him, must pray he give us sight
We dossed in open air, hid ourselves by a ’rick
When I awoke, the other two had gone
I may yet meet them on this side of things
But on that day, I met the farmer’s wife
Calmacott’s Brother
The Farmer’s Wife (part one)
(2017, Stephanie Foster)