Brian K. Bilverstone Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

As most people know, the red poppy has become a powerful symbol of remembrance and military honour. When I wrote this in 2017, I visualised ranks of poppies standing like frightened young men about to go into battle and, having suffered at the hands of the enemy, once again standing to face another day.

 

Raggedy Army

Raggedy Army

As morning bathes in spring sunshine
A raggedy army stands in line.
Unkempt and ragtag, oddly sized,
Unarranged, disorganised.
Red, a splash among the grey
A new parade at dawn each day.
Some heads drooping, some held high,
A handful gazing at the sky.
Fresh and bright to start the morning,
Most won’t see a new day’s dawning.
In summer’s heat, the same routine -
A new head where an old had been.
In autumn’s fading dying light
A hardy few keep up the fight.
But then to hide in winter’s snow,
Till spring’s warmth says it’s time to show.
And bursting forth and standing proud,
Though scattered, battered, thrashed and ploughed
The raggedy army stands again
Eternal homage to fallen men.

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