Flanders Field

The once battlefields of Flanders
Were soon clothed with Poppy red
Perhaps a natural reflection of 
All the blood that had been shed.
The War Cemeteries laid out
In lines of stones or crosses 
A constant stark reminder of
The scale of a nation’s losses.

Each bearing  rank and name
Just brutally stating the fact
Listing the tragedy of a war
And it’s inevitable impact.
Many of them are anonymous
Their identities not known 
Only that they were casualties. 
The battlefields had grown.

With a simple inscription 
That could say no more
In carved block letters 
A soldier of the Great War
Crops of simple monuments 
Like lines and rows of  teeth
Signifying to the world at large
A  hero lies interred beneath.

Though visitors know
Just what to expect
The very magnitude 
Brings stunned respect
Some  stand in silence
Some  stand and cry
Some quietly ask
The simple question why?
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Volumes Avatar
November 17, 2023 at 3:06 AM
You just took me to that Flanders field, to see the rows of graves. To feel so breathless seeing the magnitude. Every cross was a healthy young soldier with hopes and loves and dreams, and as the question Why? rings out, nobody knows, it seems. ..........An amazing poem Terry. Thank you.
Ireland Avatar
November 17, 2023 at 7:49 AM
Thanks Wen. Sadly it never stops. For the last 200 yes to end of 2022 there has only been one year without a member of the British Forces being killed by hostile action, 1968
Bauer Avatar
November 5, 2023 at 11:36 AM
a powerful and poignant poem, terry! beautifully written...
Ireland Avatar
November 7, 2023 at 12:58 AM
Thanks ilene
Cunningham Avatar
November 5, 2023 at 2:18 AM
Well written Terry, we must never forget their great sacrifice. Even now there's so much conflict in the world, mankind it seems never learns from past mistakes. Tom
Ireland Avatar
November 7, 2023 at 12:59 AM
Thanks Tom
Meadows Avatar
November 5, 2023 at 1:31 AM
Brilliant poem for Rememberence Day. Well written.
Ireland Avatar
November 7, 2023 at 12:59 AM
Thanks Jeanette
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