Poplars in November

by David RL Moore

Thursday 24th October 2024 2:54 pm

Their branches proud above the town

like men in rank, their feet in mud,

skyward facing they can't look down

their roots fixed in this land of blood.

And onward, over fields and seas

men wrenched their hearts too far from home,

mere saplings who would not make trees

but from whose seed a nation's grown.

Across the green, the cenotaph

its lonely stone, rain-soaked and grey

like bone strewn in the aftermath

of one more wasteful bloody day.

And still the poplars stoic stand

to weave their roots in ancient soil.

As did those who left their land

that we may live through their dark toil.

https://wolfgarwords.com/2024/10/24/poplars-in-november/

Comments

David RL Moore

Mon 28th Oct 2024 16:51

Thanks for sharing your experience Uilleam and your additional comments.

It is indeed a sorry state of affairs that patriotism for some has come to represent hostility to anyone who is not them.

David.

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Mon 28th Oct 2024 11:34

Thank you, David.

The poplars of France’s Somme Valley and its surrounding landscape, provide vivid and piognant memories for me.

Over twenty-four years ago, as part of a much longer backpacking trip to the south and the sun, I’d started off at Calais, with the intention of walking through the Somme Valley, to camp “wild” wherever I could, with the purpose of practicing frugality, and to better understand the landscape with which the “War Poets” were intimately familiar.

Though extremely fit, I was a fair-weather wallker, and ill-prepared for the devastating floods which then hit northern Europe. But, despite everything, and due to the kindness of complete strangers, I never lacked a safe bed, and was always well fed.

The beer-bellied populist charlatans in the UK currently strutting the streets of the UK, gobbing off about “patriotism” make me utterly sick; they’re a disgrace to the memory of those who experienced the living hell which was the Valley of the Somme.
💗

David RL Moore

Mon 28th Oct 2024 08:38

Thank you for the messages and likes.

Remembrance in the United Kingdom is an event that attracts genuine heartfelt emotion and solemn gratitude.

For me remembrance is a time of conflicting emotions, it is often hi-jacked by charlatans of multiple political persuasions as a tool to wave the flag of nationalism disguised as some kind of patriotic duty.

Of course the words Nationalism and Patriotism can be utilised and interpretted as having multiple meanings.

When I see Politicians and Royalty standing in front of service veterans and thier relatives I always believe they should be standing to the rear.

Enough of me.

Thankyou.

David

David RL Moore

Sun 27th Oct 2024 04:26

Thankyou John,

Your comment's are much appreciated.

David

John Coopey

Sat 26th Oct 2024 12:27

Wonderful (if that’s the right word for something so poignant) in tone and imagery, David.

David RL Moore

Sat 26th Oct 2024 07:29

Thanks for the like Hugh,

much appreciated.

Thanks for the likes,

RBK, telboy, Holden and Reggie.

David RL Moore

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Poplars in November

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