THE DEAD IN VALHALLA

After the long day,
battling to death,
killing each other,
we’re brought back at sundown
to feast in Valhalla.

Old wounds are healed,
bodies filled
with strength and youth again,
there’s nothing to do
but laugh and drink and sing.

Sometimes in life
it felt as good as this,
caught at some party
we’d be happy to be at forever
where death seemed an unlikely rumour
or something we’d already dealt with.

If someone left
it was never for long,
just a quick trip to the toilet
or to get some drinks in,
then back again,
along the corridor,
noise and laughter spilling
through the open door.

We’d thank whatever
chance had brought us there,
the bright or dark haired
Valkyrie swooping down
to pick us up from
the crowded field of battle
into this light and music
for a short while.