It was just before dawn
One miserable morning in black forty-four
When the Forward Commander was told to sit tight
When he asked that his men be withdrawn
And the Generals gave thanks
As the other ranks
Held back the enemy tanks for a while
And then the Anzio bridgehead was held for the price
Of a few hundred ordinary lives

And kind old King George
Sent Mother a note
when he heard that Father was gone
It was, I recall, in the form of a scroll
With gold leaf and all
And I found it one day
In a drawer of old photographs
Hidden away
And my eyes still grow damp
To remember His Majesty
Signed with his own rubber stamp