Survivors

The message got through, but it was too late:

there was an edge of burning to the sky.

All night by the barges, we were made to wait.

Dark wharf, dark water. More important freight

than us. Some made it, some not. Don't ask why.

The message got through, but it was too late.

Blackout... . The city silent. Then the grate

of iron wheels. Grey convoys creeping by.

All night by the barges, we were made to wait.

No time, but time enough to contemplate:

was there a choice? Could someone not comply?

The message got through, but it was too late.

No names. A neighbour? One you used to hate?

Nobody looked each other in the eye.

All night by the barges, we were made to wait.

A lifetime gone, and who's to bear the weight

of proof? You, you were there. And so was I.

All night by the barges, we were made to wait.

The message got through. But it's late, too late.