Combat Stress Veteran, Alex, wrote this beautifully moving poem inspired by the time he spent planting poppies at the Tower of London last month. BLOOD SWEPT LANDS The poppies stand, yet no seeds were sown. To remember the fallen, so many unknown, Each lovingly planted, and handled with care, In a display of remembrance, exceedingly rare. On the moat of the tower, the eyes of our nation, Regardless of rank, or privilege or station. Each poppy revered for it’s representation, Each single poppy, each single life, To honour our fallen, who fought through the strife. Each life laid down, each sacrifice, Each one a hero, each paid the price, They died in the mud, the trenches and sod, Many not known but only to God. Each night at sunset, their names read aloud, It makes you feel humble, but so very proud, The crowd gathers round to form a great host, The sounds of the bugle plays the last post. To the servicemen and women, and all that were lost, Was victory and freedom, but at Oh what a cost, It isn’t enough, nothing ever will be, But, they will never be forgotten and the nation says, THANK YOU Alex Wallace, 2014. Please share this poem with your friends and family. If you would like to support the work of Combat Stress you can text PTSD2 to 70004. Text costs £5 plus standard network charge. Combat Stress receives 100% of your donation. Please obtain bill payer’s permission. Customer care can be contacted on: 01372 587153. Combat Stress is a registered charity in England and Wales: 2006002 and Scotland: SCO038828 Photographs courtesy of Alex Wallace
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 11:33:10 +0000