Armistice Day in the Library

There is solemn, sombre November grey
but here pages burn with bright memories
these memories vivid or secondhand.
We watch the second hand and silence falls.

Silence falls at the clocks’ chime but our lives
continue. Birdsong unnoticed among
urban noise. How deafening it must be
to hear it the first time. People gather

All is quiet – a world of silence here
memories of those who saved us, gave up
their lives to give our tomorrow, now
blood in our ears, tears in our eyes. Boyhood

Tales – sirens sent one father under his
desk at school. Wastelands for playgrounds we are
hearing the words, not reading them They gave
their all, they gave their all and we’re under

The clock, glad our sons are safe today.
On the shelves eyes from pages have seen too much.
Men, mice, mothers, lovers, brothers. Are they gone?
Some welcome bodies home, even today.

Here is solemn, sombre Armistice day.
They gave their all, we hold them in our heads
as the seconds tick and we are still.
The scarlet splash of poppies is for them.

The poem arose from a workshop around the subject of armistice and remembrance and includes input from Simon Parker, John Coster, two work experience students – Lisa Murbey and Catherine Shaw, The Lady Mayoress and other contributors.