Scarlet Skirts

We count the cost of those we've lost,

their sacrifice, the price they paid.

The blood they shed, our honoured dead,

their hallowed memory will not fade.

So we recall with passing years,

the tears, a stream of solemn flow

and we remember all those deaths

in fields where scarlet poppies grow.

Reviews

[Lorry]

It's good to know, that although us humans are a fallible bunch, that learning about the sacrifices made by so many, that even P1 kids are being taught it now. They are said so often, but we must NEVER FORGET.

[Chris Shaw]

As the years go by Lorry that sacrifice becomes a heavier burden to contemplate. It needs to be taught in schools. Back then many didn't have a choice. They had to do it, and that makes it even more unbearable to think about. The freedom we have today had a very heavy cost.

Chris

[Lorry]

What gets me s how many lied about their age to do their bit. I doubt that would happen these days, or even my days for that matter.

[Chris Shaw]

I know, you often hear about some of them as young as 16/17, couldn't wait to sign up. I think they must have considered it because there couldn't have been much work. Times were tough, money was short, big families. Every penny counted. Also I think they had a genuine love for their country and had no wish to be invaded! Also without the sort of media coverage we have today, they had no idea of the hell hole they were about to embark :( Makes you want to weep doesn't it?).

[Lorry]

It does. Trying to remember one is hard enough, now multiply that by the millions who never came back and watch as the gears in your head seize at the thought.

[Chris Shaw]

Totally mind boggling. It sometimes almost reduces me to jelly when I watch some of these history programmes. Talk about there but for the grace ...........

[Lorry]

I know. The cold war still freaks me out. I thought my parents were insane not to be worried about faslane nuclear naval base, about thirty miles from where we lived, when it freaked me the hell out all through my childhood to think we would be European target number one if the buttons were pressed. I kept having dreams where my brother told me I would shout "I don't want to melt." All that worry for nothing....so far.

[Dave]

Chris - thank you. This is so direct and to the point. One of the first poems I had to memorize was "In Flanders' Fields". I was only in 7th grade at the time and I begrudged it then. Over the years I have come to really understand it and its' one of my favorites. I still can recite it from memory, thanks to Miss Duston.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

In Flanders Fields is an exceptional poem. Should be taught in schools. As we grow older we understand more the sacrifice. This is my own tribute to the fallen, my way of saying I remember all your sacrifice and thank you.

Chris

[Dave]

And it's so appropriate.

Taka care - Dave

[Lyn Anderson]

Lovely, simple, and poignant.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lyn. I appreciate your response. All good wishes.

Chris

[john l smith]

Very touching piece
will man ever learn

[Chris Shaw]

It appears we have learned nothing. Thanks Dave.

Chris

[Dr. YumnaKay]

The price they paid and the cost of our sufferings...true. This is indeed a nice reminder for us to remember those who gave their lives for us to be where we are today, wherever we are...
Nicely written, Christine.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dr Y. The cost, overwhelming in the number of lives lost and the suffering simply staggering, but do we learn from it?

Chris

[alanwgraham]

Well done Chris. For us older folk that awful war that we had some link to is slipping into history. I can sense the youngsters thinking more about todays awful ragged wars and the big question is what have we learned?
Peter Jackson's coloured film of the first war 'And shall they grow old' is a wonderful emotional achievement.
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

I'll have to check that film out Alan. The older I get, the more overwhelmed I get at the sacrifices made and the human suffering nothing short of phenomenal. Thank you so much for checking this one out. Hope all is good with you and yours.

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

The sacrifice and the price they paid was phenomenal. I was watching a story of a lady who lost 4 sons in that war on BBC, and it was unimaginable ... the agony she endured. You just can't stop the tears that flow, because there were thousands of mothers who lost the most precious part of their lives, and our hearts ache for them all.
The field where poppies grow is a forever reminder, for all and the generations that will come.

[Chris Shaw]

As the years pass, so grows stronger the sacrifice made. It was phenomenal, totally overwhelming M. That poor woman, one wonders how she could survive that grief. That sacrifice should never be forgotten. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

You are welcome, C.

[andrew mitchell]

A lovely tribute to those that were wasted to save us. 13 million died on the fields of France. Young men I can't help but feel that the top brass wasted lives unnecessarily in their rigid views and somewhat outdated tactics at that time.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. I have to agree with you about the top brass. Cannon fodder is what those young men were and it makes me rage within. Your visit most appreciated.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Makes me angry too!

[Jon Roggie]

Grandfather was in the great war. Corporal in the army. Went over at the age of seventeen if I remember properly. I would have to check.
If only there were fewer poppies.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jon. 17 eh, just a boy. Thank you for your thoughts

Chris

[Jon Roggie]

I was wrong. He was a private, and his draft form shows he was 21. He was over for the last few months.

[angel]

Very timely, as it is Veteran's Day over here. Cheers, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you angel. Our equivalent tomorrow.

Chris

[angel]

Happy equivalent,Chris!