Your Possible Pasts

They flutter behind you, your possible pasts

Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost

A warning to anyone still in command

Of their possible future to take care

In derelict sidings the poppies entwine

With cattle trucks lying in wait for the next time



Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?

She stood in the doorway, the ghost of a smile

Haunting her face like a cheap hotel sign



Her cold eyes imploring the men in their macs

For the gold in their bags or the knives in their backs

Stepping up boldly one put out his hand

He said, " I was just a child, then now I'm only a man"



Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?

By the cold and religious, we were taken in hand

Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad



Tongue tied and terrified we learned how to pray

Now our feelings run deep and cold as the clay

And strung out behind us, the banners and flags

Of our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags



Do you remember me? How we used to be?

Do you think we should be closer?