When I was far away
I took with me a numb companion
Soothing though barbed.
He took my soul.
Here there were others - armoured,
Their land was a perimeter,
They felt secure,
Safe with the knowledge of restraint -
They tongued between the lines.
Each of us had a double.
A suited entertainer,
Who knew no fear
And wore no protection to the fight,
And had yet to taste -
The bitterness of restraint.