Memories fade

(Photo by KW,  poppy made by Pam Burgess)

Memories fade

as years march on:

combatants,

their longevity challenged,

fall in a new line of duty -

the line of time.

Their breeching of trenches,

their enforced bravery

and long carried wounds

forgotten in the grief

of their new graves.

On this day,

when poppies are king,

when Autumn leaves

tinge red with gold,

tears will fall

from thankful souls.

On this day

fears will grow

for the newly marching

who forget their history

or remember it too much

and stride toward some lighthouse,

blind to the rocks beneath.