Standing here,
my heart beats fast with emotion
pin pricks of scarlet on my cheeks.
The rough worsted collar
grey-green, chaffs my fragile skin,
while coloured ribbons of medals sway
slower in time now the march has stopped
the brisk November wind
makes them clink
now and again.
My body soft with age trembles
as the minutes tick by
the birds overhead are the only sound
as we stand lost in our silent thoughts
of battle
fear
exhaustion
sadness
of aeroplanes screeching,
gunfire thundering
and as the dust settles
triumph is marred by
triumph is marred by
the counting of despair.
My rheumy eyes focus on the plain white stone ahead
arthritic fingers clasp
the wreath of poppies.
The last post echoes through the cemetery.
I walk to lay my tribute
my fallen comrades surround me
Thank you...we must remember...beautiful write..
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and being a military daughter, reminds me of many a cold Remembrance Sunday morning watching the parade and the ceremonial laying of poppy wreaths at the foot of a monument in the town of wherever we were stationed at the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching remembrance.
ReplyDeleteOld soldiers never die - they keep on marching and remembering. Fine poem.
ReplyDeleteEven the mention of The Last Post brings a tear to my eye, as my brain hears its plaintive notes in my imagination...♥
ReplyDeleteLest we forget, lest we forget...
ReplyDeletekay this is well inside the moment and all of its feelings connected with rememebrance day. thankyou for sharing it here. steven
ReplyDeletehauntingly beautiful x
ReplyDelete"my fallen comrades surround me
ReplyDeleteon this Remembrance Day"
Just "Wow".
Lovely write and so apt for this time of year. Well written.
ReplyDeleteJamie
a very nice response for rememberance...particularly the vivid bringing alive of the chaos of war that brought it about...nice...
ReplyDeleteblack friday is the day after thanksgiving...all the stores open at like 3 AM with early bird specials before sunrise and large sales...busiest shopping day in american...also one of the nastiest as there are often fights that break out over items and people crushed as the crowd stampedes over them...
ReplyDeleteA beautiful tribute to the men and women who have given their lives to protect freedom ........
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and touching poem. Remembrance day well-anticipated!
ReplyDeletea touching remembrance ...
ReplyDeleteTruly beautiful tribute - thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]