The train was late because of the war
and I had to spend money for a room because of the war.
There was chicory in the coffee because of the war
and the chocolate was behind glass because of the war.
In bed I put down my book when the lights went out because of the war
and I put my hat back on and walked outside because of the war.
The doorman asked if I wanted entertainment and I said I couldn’t sleep because of the war
and the bar served whiskey smuggled from Canada because of the war.
A woman hid her eyes behind her hand during the clarinet solo because of the war.
and she let me give her a handkerchief I carried with me always because of the war.
The doorman tipped his cap without standing up because of the war
and we stared out the window at the sign that said Last Show at 11 because of the war.
The train was packed and I had to stand because of the war
and there was no one at the platform to meet me because of the war.