When I was four I crossed the road br To pick some flowers growing wild br In meadows lovely to a child br Allowed to roam the birds' abode. br br A wandering bomb had hit the home br Which once stood calm upon this place br Or were there secrets or disgrace br That brought that house to dust and loam? br br Bees I saw, and shrapnel shells br And snails and grasses waving high br Above me to the cloudless sky, br Breezes and birds and distant bells. br br Fearlessly I gathered more, br And bore an armful, loving gift br Of foxgloves, lupines, daisy drift, br And buttercups and farmer's lore. br br The daily siren's wailing moan br Did not disturb my young delight br But suddenly into my sight br Sat at my feet a whitened bone. br br I stared and thought and bent to see br When something moved away in fear: br A hedgehog braving the All-Clear br Was startled at the smell of me br br And showed courageously his spines - br I shrieked and dropped my great bouquet, br Forgot my gift, my country play, br 'A hedgehog! ' I left enemy lines br br And ran awoken from my field br Out of the summer's flowery charms, br Across the road to welcome arms br Where laughter cast a shameful shield.