Looking Ahead, Looking Back

1914
"100 years on
what will have become
of our heirs, if the Kaiser’s
troops overrun?
their values we view,
if our lands they subdue,
their rule we will rue.

"100 years on
will they know what we’ve done –
the Tommies with grit,
young team-leaders fit
to do what they could    
to shepherd and shield,
shed their blood.
    
"Not glad to go,
it was the thing to do
when told of serious need
and knowing we have strength to suffer,
or skill to lead.

"We do not want to die,
but if we thus
might useful be to friends or family,
it brings relief to loss and grief;
reprieve must be refused
if they would be abused –
how heavy is the cost
of weary earthly living lost?

"We hope in years to come
they will not judge in haste
what life or death a waste
(myopic vision), or cast derision.

"But, easy to hate
and snipe as you wait
long hours in a trench
in conditions that wrench
the best of demeanours
shell-shocked by the horrors."

2014
100 years gone:        
we look at the war
at mistakes and such loss
and with hindsight see more,
appalled at the gore.
Condemning incompetence,
we think our intelligence
could have strangled the struggle
brought quick resolution,
curtailed conflagration.

But dare we forget,
or lose our respect
for willingness comrades and kin to protect:
our freedom –
their life
truncated by strife.
    
Never before
had there been such a global war
resulting in agonised groaning
of ‘never again, never more’ –
stalemate of stuck in the sucking,
oozing of thick sticky mud,
leaching and leaking the nation’s blood.

But greed, ambition, enmity remain
and bullying, cruelty, disdain for weakness,
trampling others down for wealth, renown;
we cannot let the ruthless have their vicious sway
to crush or loot, and indiscriminately shoot.

But, also easily we misconstrue
what others think or say or do,
misjudge, and quick to take offence,
distorting their intended sense,    
tempers frayed can flare
in private or in worldwide feud:
so be aware
revenge prolongs the wrongs:
BEWARE!