The Great War - What I Remember

I served in the Great War,
I survived with the scrape of a claw,
Skin marks that look like from a knife,
I am now scarred for life.

My wife and children watched me leave,
Not knowing if I will achieve,
Their tears like melting bits of ice,
Burning hot like chilli spice.

I remember the poppie heads,
Rows and rows of brilliant reds,
Now 90 years on we wear a scarlet flower,
and remember the soldiers at the eleventh  hour.

Anna Marshall