Ceramic poppy

Ceramic poppy arrived Jan 2015

From hundreds of thousands of comrades,

once proudly at attention,

dispersed as demobbed troops

it is solitary now.

A seed of remembrance

planted in new soil

like fallen troops

in foreign fields.

Petals, red as lips,

that will neither speak

nor bless another with a kiss.

Its steel stem

leafless,

like so many family trees.

Petals, red as fresh blood,

gather the raindrops

like machinegun fire

and the fallen

splash.

Though I have no memories,

I will remember.

Though I have no ties,

I will connect.

Though I have no grief,

I will sorrow.