The Silent Army
My footsteps echo around me
There is birdsong in my ears
A plugged-in jogger passes
The wind brings salty tears
My heart stops at a carhorn
But she slumbers on
A dog walker slows to greet me
Finger on lips, I move on
Left right left
Left right left
Can’t stop moving
Left right left
And then the first one comes
Rolling slowly by
A smile of recognition
A gently mouthed “Hi’
A second, a third – a convoy
We dip and sway and curve
A lone raised hand, a nod
Then away we swerve
Right left right
Right left right
Can’t stop moving
Right left right
While you sit warm and cosy
Drinking a cup of tea
Here I pound the pavements
And they march alongside me
While you go to meetings,
Write your emails, just exist
A silent army marches
And there are millions to enlist
Left right left
Left right left
Can’t stop moving
Left right left
Is that drumming in the distance?
Is that a battle cry I hear?
Rise up, mothers, rise up
The revolution’s here
Right left right
Right left right
Can’t stop moving
Right left right
We’ll ride the tube in rush hour
Screaming babies on our lap
We’ll bring them to the office
When they really need a nap
We’ll breastfeed in that restaurant
Reserved for business deals
And we’ll change a pooey nappy
As you’re finishing your meals
Left right left
Left right left
Can’t stop moving
Left right left
We’ll leave a trail of squeaky toys
From the boardroom to the desk
Your suits and boots we’ll slowly smear
With drool, vomit (and the rest)
No longer will we be banished
To Starbucks and soft play
The mothers are taking over
And we won’t go away
Right left right
Right left right
Can’t stop moving
Right left right
The silent army marches
Wiping nose and sniffing bum
But hark, you hear that trumpet?
My friends, soon the day will come
