Belinda Dale
Impressions of the square from the monument

“To the memory of the following officers non-commissioned officers
and men who fell in the war in South Africa 1899-1902”

They died for this: stone at their feet,
and beyond a bustling summer market.

Bennett, Bolton, Buckett…

Hot scent of grilled fat,
spilled beer and sauerkraut,
potatoes and bacon in two foot wide pans.
At the other end: wheatgrass,
strawberry smoothies,
hot vegan wraps, and organic hummus.

…Cooke, Cooper, Crinion…

Stone, earth and rocks, 
bespoke silver jewellery,
handcrafted bags: overpriced, under-made.
Tulips from Holland, sharp local cheeses,
replica watches, almost the real thing.

…Lally, Lewis, Lindsay…

Slow jazz in the background
(Parker, Gillespie?),
bickering voices rise over the notes.
People rush by, my soldiers they see them
busily talking on their mobile phones.

…Stott, Sellers, Sutcliffe, Smith…

For sovereign and country: they died for this.