In memory of the D-Day landings.
Rugged dunes and cliffs overlooking
Smooth sandy beaches ripe for fun.
Children are playing,
Building sandcastles,
Digging trenches,
Flying their country's flag.
The sea invades as always,
Takes back what it has lent,
Before the castles collapse
A child finds a chain and medallion.
The medallion bears a name and number,
Perhaps it belonged to a tourist,
Someone enjoying a stroll along the shore,
Listening to the tide go in, go out,
Squinting at the setting poppy-sun.
A large shadow engulfs the child,
It is made by an old man looking out to sea,
He has pride in his eyes as well as tears,
The child offers the medallion to the man,
They hold it together like a precious jewel,
Linked by the terrible beauty of history.
Chris Fernie, 2009
Poetry by Chris Fernie
Read 504 times
Written on 2009-05-31 at 14:14
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This day
Normandy is lovely at this time of year,Rugged dunes and cliffs overlooking
Smooth sandy beaches ripe for fun.
Children are playing,
Building sandcastles,
Digging trenches,
Flying their country's flag.
The sea invades as always,
Takes back what it has lent,
Before the castles collapse
A child finds a chain and medallion.
The medallion bears a name and number,
Perhaps it belonged to a tourist,
Someone enjoying a stroll along the shore,
Listening to the tide go in, go out,
Squinting at the setting poppy-sun.
A large shadow engulfs the child,
It is made by an old man looking out to sea,
He has pride in his eyes as well as tears,
The child offers the medallion to the man,
They hold it together like a precious jewel,
Linked by the terrible beauty of history.
Chris Fernie, 2009
Poetry by Chris Fernie
Read 504 times
Written on 2009-05-31 at 14:14
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email (requires login) Print text
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