“Just over the ridge,” they said.

So we went.

Bayonets fixed and a feeling of dread
as fast as we can
we cover the ground
Rifles and cannon
ripping the field and smearing us red.

Another skirmish in nameless terrain-
so very important
to winning the war-
but nameless corpses
mark a small triumph bought with their pain.

Just over the ridge...

Not many came back.

Red poppies now flourish as memories fade
where courage and terror
stalked through the corn.
Respect for the fallen
of countless ridges where still bones are laid.

Remembrance matters.

Until peace heals.



(For Remembrance Day 11th November 2022    (c)  Richard Starling)