A tear of reflection creeps slowly down my face and the hairs on my neck lift to thoughts of what went before.

My mind having travelled with a poppy proudly posted on my lapel and you stood there proud though not being present for a long time.

I have walked in your footsteps,
seen the baron lands, the bunkers, the trenches, the guns, the cannons, the tanks and the simple cloth that you wore and the medals that would shine on your chest.

I have read and listened to the stories and poems describing great valour and misery and loss, watched footage of black and white films and talked about the horses, pigeons and dogs.

We can only reflect and assume that we understand what you went through, but in truth we never can know.

so as we embark upon another  day of remembrance I will reflect on the great that you did and quietly say thank you to all those lost in a prayer.

(c) Robert kingston 8.11.15