Lest We Forget

The country's mood was sombre,

 The prophecy was of doom.

Britain was preparing for war,

Her island shrouded in gloom.

The war would be over by Christmas, - 

Or so we were all informed.

We didn't know it would last for years

Or how many lives would be mourned.

Men and boys were signing up, -

Some as young as fourteen, -

To defend our green and pleasant land 

From our enemies yet unseen.

Whole families joined the army, -

Fathers, brothers and sons, -

To fight the enemy hand to hand

Armed with Lee Enfield guns.

They left behind their loved ones, -

Parents, girlfriends and wives, -

To live in those sodden trenches,

Fight and lose their lives.

Some returned home shell-shocked,

Others lost limbs and were bruised.

So many died on those Flanders Fields,

Poisened by gases used.

Thousands died in battle

At Marne, Ypres and the Somme,

Lives sacrificed for our freedom

And perished in fiery maelstrom.

White headstones are lined up neatly 

In cemeteries near where they fell 

To commemorate those courageous men,

To bid them a final farewell.

The poppy fields are still blooming 

With flowers of deep blood red 

To remind us of valiant soldiers 

Whose lives were needlessly shed.

For those gallant men who took up arms 

We are always in their debt.

Remember, they cherished our freedom,

REMEMBER THEM, - LEST WE FORGET.