Tell My Rose

by David McDonald
(Fife, Scotland)

From Every Soldier needs a Soul

Don’t let my Rose hear of how I died,
lying alone on this cold hill
Tell her that I died
surrounded by friends,
quietly and peaceful and still
Don’t tell her of the human horrors
surrounding me where I lie
Speak gently when you say to her
I spoke her name and gently cried

No mention of the bullets that tore at me
or the shrapnel in my spine
Just the hushed mention of a death
that was painless, mercifully short on time
Spare the thought of the blood I have lost
no mention of the leg that’s not there
Speak with kindness and clarity
tell of a kind nurse who stroked my hair

I want my Rose to remember
the man she loved without restrain
She should always have the memories
of me passing away without pain
Then I can face what painful death
my God has set aside for me
I can wait until I die and then watch my Rose
from above where I’ll be