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Hull Cenotaph, Remembrance Sunday, 2018

The Guildhall clock chimes
Eleven times this special day,
A great silence descends as
The two minutes tick away.
On parade at the Cenotaph,
An old man among old men
(Where did the years go for
In my mind I’m young again):

Not in best battledress
Or even Regimental Blues
But I’m booted and suited
With not quite bulled shoes,
And the old drill moves come back
So i manage to get them right
But age won’t quite let me stand
To attention, back ramrod straight.

Mixed in with the younger ones we old
Men marched with swagger and pride
Through the applause of the crowds, 
Who lined  the streets on either side.
For each of us in our way
Have walked that special walk
And we all still today 
Can talk that special talk.

With pride and emotion we accepted
From those crowds at the parade
On behalf of those long dead
Recognition of sacrifices made.
I shall not march again,  this
Time I just needed to appear
To show my respect in this
One Hundredth Anniversary Year

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 11/24/2022 10:35:00 PM
Your poem projects the feeling of the day Terry. A true mark of respect for the Remembrance Day that your poem depicts. Could almost hear the chimes on the 11th Hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. A fitting tribute.
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Ireland Avatar
Terry Ireland
Date: 11/25/2022 2:27:00 AM
Thanks Wendy - am not really one for actually joining the parade but this one was special. Our Padre at the Veterans Centrs was an Oz so we arranged 3 ANZAC Day Parades. They also were very special

Book: Reflection on the Important Things