Remembrance

The Crosses
 

I stood there before the crosses 

glowing white in row on row

Everyone a young life cut short

as the names upon them show.

The dates they died below the names

tell of wars now past and gone

Passchendaele, the Somme, and Mons

of battles fought, and lost or won.

History remembers, as it should

these men who fought and died 

Whilst for their families left behind

a dull sorrow tinged with pride.

The faces of boys held now in Sepia

who died in days long gone

yet living on in memories 

and hearts, still holding on.

Yet despite the hurt and grief here 

what with horror makes me fill

Is that when I look behind me

there are more new crosses growing still.


Bill Mitton