This remembrance day poem entitled CROSSES was authored by Miss. Corley Farough of Taber, Alberta as Senior Poetry Winner of The Royal Canadian Legion Literary Contest 2007. We congratulate Corley and thank her for allowing us to share her poem with all Canadians.
CROSSES
Crosses are standing row after row. A silent reminder of men we don’t know. Men who have given up all of their lives. Men who left children and warm loving wives.
The long fearful wait then the tender goodbyes. The burden and sorrow, the look in their eyes. The brush of a hand cross the cheek of his girl. Then boarding the plane all at once in a whirl.
A strange country abroad with its sights and its smells. He thinks of his Canada and his heart nearly swells. Cause he’s brave and he’s strong and his hearts full of hope. With the war all around future plans help him cope.
He stands up for the good and the truth and the right. And he eats, dreams and sleeps with his gun in his sight. Reads letters from home again and again. His modest attempt to wash away pain.
This pain in his gut is not hunger or fear. But the loss of his innocence and all he holds dear. He looks at a photo all battered and torn. This face is the reason his heart feels forlorn.
In the pit of his soul is an ache he can’t mend. The news hits him hard of the death of a friend. The sickening feeling of loss only grows. As the fields keep filling with crosses in rows.
He puts on his helmet and picks up his gun. This battle for peace has only begun. If tomorrow will come he does not know. But crosses are standing, row after row.
Our thanks to The Royal Canadian Legion, Dominion Command, Ottawa for providing us with this Remembrance Day Poem.