White crosses
contrast to
Neat cut grass,
Buried memories.

Poppy fields
Blood red petals
Black heart centres,
Flower life tributes,
We remember:
Pain, sacrifice, pride,
courage,
mud soaked comradeship,
Betrayal, dark fear, numbness,
Shrieks of explosions
Broken cries,
Shattered lives,
Shattered limbs,
Shattered minds,
Incomprehensible carnage.

My soul embraces
emotion questions that
challenge the now.

In the stillness...
Mutilated reflections of
Ultimate price.

Blood poured out
Life given
Life lifted.
Life received.