Mine eyes are fixed, yet mind doth wander still
Recounting times of innocence at play
When love of life brought warmth with winter’s chill
Of friends who added sunshine to the day
Now morning mist pervades my own worst fears
Beyond all life’s divide; where foe doth dwell
As windblown poppy weeps with blood red tears
For one who dared to dream midst sound of shell
With fighting words which soared above the din
This soulful bard would brandish as his art
To rally men without, from deep within
To raise morale on high; to set apart
With rationed prose now sparse bereft of muse
Canst I with turn of phrase, e’er hope infuse