Ceremonials
Perfectly aligned plumes
shining accroutrements
breastplates, bits,and bridles
bearskins with chinstraps
and cockades
drum horses with silver drums
fantastic fetlocks but no brakes
gleaming black horses with tassels
guncarriages at a gallop
swords and standards
red and gold
stitched across the parade ground
Chelsea Pensioners, cohorts of Cubs
watch the youngest officer
carry the Colours
Mothers of the serving and the fallen
Mothers of children who might
square up and spinwheel
conduct themselves beautifully
anyone who ever loved
cut to pieces
by a sabre slash of beauty and loss
marching like the heartbeat
of history
