Dear Mum

If you receive this letter

I’ll be gone

To who knows where?

To Heaven, I hope.

So please don’t cry.

And give my love to Lop,
Our cat who lost his tail.

And Dad, of course.

I hope that this year’s crop

Of spuds do well.

And give my love to Ruth

I know I promised her

That we would marry in the spring

But tell her that I love her

(And you

And Dad

And Lop, the cat)

I have to go

The big offensive’s come

Don’t worry, Mum

Oh, and please give Ruth

This ring

From John

Your ever-loving son