Tuesday, January 08, 2008

loose change



someone gave me this old coin in my change

i suppose it might signify a time when the germans were still hungry long after the war had ended

the late tom smallridge told me how british servicemen occupying germany had to guard coal-trains in the depths of a terrible winter

the locals would send their children to unbolt the wagons' sides if the trains stopped near their homes

knowing this might happen, the soldiers were given orders to shoot them on sight, but never did as far he knew ... tom said those who gave the orders "were typical of their class"

2 comments:

  1. it remarkable that a tale can be unleashed by a simple thing like a coin out of place.
    nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. you're very kind ... thanx for visiting

    ReplyDelete

say what you like ... his lordship will turn it over in what he is pleased to call his mind ...