Royal British Legion
Formed in Nineteen Twenty-One, to deal with those in need
Who suffered from the trauma that cruel war decreed.
Those from every service who came limping back
No longer fit and able. As if upon the rack.
Unfit in mind or body to cope with normal life
Having lived in terror through that awful strife!
The Legion is a charity which gives upon demand
To any of our veterans who need a helping hand.
They work throughout the year in private and unseen
And we can just imagine what that help must mean!
Their symbol is the poppy which grew in great profusion
On the graves of heroes at the war’s conclusion.
Conflicts come and conflicts go and all leave men unfit
But the Royal British Legion helps more than a bit!
Most have purchased poppies in November every year
And when we go to cenotaphs we are all sincere.
The money, from the poppies sold, funds a worthy cause
But when you give your money just take a little pause.
Those whose life’s were ruined in service for us all
Demand our true compassion in answering their call!
NHS
In the present climate we have to raise a cheer
For the NHS. Thank goodness it is here!
Yes it has its problems from successive cuts,
With politicians carving it and treating us like mutts!
Another layer of ‘management’, as if there aren’t enough!
I’d rather have more patient care than bureaucratic stuff!
The pay for health professionals is miserly at best
And fees for doctor’s training have got to be a jest!
Yet despite these problems they really serve the nation,
In this vile pandemic, with skill and dedication.
Support them in their trials and vote for those who care.
Not for those in parliament who cut health service there!
Enough of all this politics just cheer for those who serve
And hope they get rewarded as they all deserve!
British Birdlife
I am not a ‘twitcher’ so I do not know it all.
In fact on British birdlife my knowledge is quite small.
I do not climb up mountains to spy the eagles there.
I do not often go where only stalwarts dare!
I limit my excursions to woods and around lakes
So, if you will excuse me, I often make mistakes!
I’ve watched the slender heron unmoving till the kill
And their skill and patience give me such a thrill.
Kingfishers are beautiful in pictures that I view
But all I’ve ever seen of them is a flash of blue!
I’ve seen the red kites circling looking for their prey
And hawks that seem to hover almost half a day.
The only owl I ever saw was snoozing in a tree
And a robin in the hedgerow looks askance at me!
I love the graceful swans as they effortlessly glide
And I’ve seen an egret preen itself with pride
I can tell the difference ‘tween a moorhen and a coot
And I’ve watched the ducklings as after mum they scoot.
I’ve watched a grebe go diving and not come up for air
At least that is the feeling till he turns up over there!
I marvel at woodpeckers in their undulating flight
And listened to the pigeons cooing out of sight.
The swallows presage summer as they zoom across the sky
And the geese are honking as they go swimming by.
Yet species are in danger as their habitat is lost
And we call it progress and never count the cost!
We humans are so lucky to have nature so diverse
I wish I could protect it by writing stronger verse!
Silent Heroes
Their war had left them shattered
By the things that they had seen
Lives that never mattered
As if they’d never been!
While politicians ranted
And generals held their sway,
They even took for granted
The ones who had to pay!
They lived their lives in trenches
Up to their knees in mud.
Then there were offensives
That left them soaked in blood!
They knew the men they buried
Amidst the poppies there
As from the field they hurried
Too tired and sick to care.
They had to hide their memories
To stop them going mad
Their’s were not the glories
That their leaders had!
Silent heroes living
Who never could relate
The heavy cost of giving
To war’s awful fate.
Well do we remember
The sacrifice they made
If only in November
When our prayers are said!
