On The Centenary Of The Battle Of The Somme - The Flowers Of The Forest Poem by Edward Clapham

Waving poppies, ruffled by the summer breeze, look up
At the deep sky and warm sun, pillows of clouds gentle
Contrast to the green below and the scattered red faces
With soul black eyes. Children's voices ring like distant bells,
The sounds of happiness and the pleasures of life, undisturbed
By thoughts of harm.

But the flowers of the forest have no arching sky above
Only cold shadows and pools of dark water, with wriggling
Worms the only life. No laughing children lift the heart
And bring a happy smile, the distant bells a sombre cadence
That tolls for thee. No bright poppies shine in this decaying
World, only their soul black eyes.

And the lone piper plays his sad lament for
The Flowers of the Forest.