I'm not sure if it is the same in other countries but here in UK today was Rememberance Sunday. As I marched with 3 other first aiders I notticed how many people came out to watch the prade go by, it would have been all the same to them if it had been a circus. A few years ago I remember a woman refusing to let her child join the others at memorial. I wrote this poem for her, at time I feel very cynical about peoples attitude but I suppose remembrance is a very personal thing, it can be difficult to do if you have never lost someone.

PERSONALLY SPEAKING

I would not let my children
Stand at the memory stone
The days for all that nonsense
Is long since dead and gone.
She turned her head and walked away
Looking down on those who stay.

Her Father never faced the gun,
Her husband was born when the battle was won.
She sees no need for the poppy red
To remind us of the lonely dead.

Her oldest child, her pride and joy.
Her darling dark eyed laughing boy
Got his university degree
With cap and gown for all to see.

Has joined up and gone to train
The army needs men with a brain.
His training done he is quite pleased
To get a posting overseas.

To Bosnia he's flown out
To hold the line till peace breaks out
And all in all it goes just fine
Till his vehicle hits a mine.

As the petals fall down to the floor
No one notices there is one more.
She gently holds the petal red
Remembering her lonely dead.

PS this is my first try at html so if it has turned out wonky take pity on a poor peot who wishes she was still using a quill.

Margaret Harkness Thomson Barclay - Laughton 1150pm 7th November 1998

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HTML Edited - JoeClone