The Silent Army

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