Bequeath My Estate

Should I fall in battle
I bequeath my estate,
my whole estate,
small as it is,
to my friend.
No, more than my friend,
my heart,
my dearest one,
Ted.

Who for the last ten years
has been my reason to be bold.
My warmth on a cold morning.
My strength when fear has threatened to derail me.

Jemima will shed her tears
should the fighting claim me.
But she I know will rally,
and love again

Peter too will mourn,
but only briefly.
He has other friends to scamper in the fields of life with.

I am not ashamed of loving.
Only sad the days we have may be cut short.
But would I change my calling?
No, I do not think so.
Only maybe ask for one more day, or week....
But would our parting ever not be wrenching?

With a final salute,
and a last look back, as he gently closed
the aging cupboard door.

The tin soldier

left.....