The Queen arrived in gay array
And tens of thousands joined her to pray
As “We bless this memorial to our dead”
That is roughly what she said
It’s a wonderful monument . . meant in good taste
But I feel in truth it honors . . a tragic waste
It lists men and women in rows and rows
That gave their lives to fight Britons . . foes
They died fighting enemies of different sorts
Leaving friends and families . . overwrought
But are all those honored . . where they should be
And did their loss of life. . advance our liberty
Do we have a liberty of which they’d be proud
As remembrance caused love ones . . to cry out loud
But look around . . and you will be dismayed
At the future thinking . . here on parade
* * *
There are huge vacant spaces . . on as yet empty walls
Awaiting the future names . .that they will recall
People that in reality . . are actually still alive !
Who supposedly must die . . to help us survive ?
Surely these empty panels . . we should dread
That are displayed in readiness for our future dead
Do today’s dying soldiers . . in their mortal pain . .
Consider their sacrifice essential . .or in vain
But what good planning has here been shown
In this great monument . . to honour our own
But as I survey the frightening empty space
Oh God! How I pity the human race
There’s 16,000 names . . with space for 15,000 more . .
As the planers foresee . . war after war
No doubt politicians will double . . all names carved here
Yes . . sadly, sadly, that’s what I fear
Albert Gazeley © October 12 3007
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