Marching, swaggering, at the head of his troops,
Arms swinging, rifles gleaming, in perfect stride.
The people all smiling, waving, some even crying,
For the all knew that we were back from Dunkirk;
Now to rest, retrain on Wimbledon Common.
The assistants of that posh hairdressing salon,
Leaned out of the windows on the first floor.
They waived and smiled like everyone else-
So many faces, intermingled in one vision.
Then I saw her, that beautiful face standing out;
Encircled by lucious, shining auburn hair.
A Goddess right there, on Wimbledon High Street;
I new I was possessed by that lovely creature.
Searching in vain each time I was free,
Waiting,spying, trying in any way to meet her.
Then one day on Guard Duty I saw her-
Cycling along, head in the air, enjoying her ride,
That beautiful hair out-shining the sun.
This vision came slowly towards me,
So I stepped out, demanding she stop.
She was startled and furious that.
a soldier should accost a civilian.
Taken aback, I thought I had blown it.
Quickly rethinking my unsubtle approach,
I smiled and explained that I thought I knew her,
Having seen her looking down from above the shop,
But I now knew that I was mistaken-
That other person did not possess her beauty.
So please could I make up for a silly mistake?
And escort her to tea, coffee, cinema, anything!
She stared at me harshly"What a damn cheek!"
Looking over her shoulder as she cycled away,
She smiled and said"I'mfree tomorrow, Ileave the shop at one".
So I went back on guard duty, another job well done.