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“To the unknown soldier” This is the reflection that I used in the Remembrance Day intercessions on 8th November 2020. It came from a book entitled Prayers for all seasons by Nick Fawcett (ISBN 978-1-84003-201-7, published by Kevin Mayhew). It was written after a visit to the war graves of Flanders, and asks how it must have felt to be one of the countless young men sent out to the battlefields of “The Great War”. Kairen Ball
How did you feel that morning When the call up papers came through? Did your blood run cold, or excitement take hold At the thought that your country needs you?
How did you feel that morning When the time came to set off from home? Did you conquer your fears, or break down in tears With the loved ones you’d soon leave alone?
How did you feel that morning When you first set foot in the trench? Did you brush it aside, or wish you could hide From the horror, the carnage, the stench?
How did you feel that morning When your friend was blown up by a shell? Did you rush to his aid, or just stand there, afraid That you’d somehow been whisked off to hell?
How did you feel that morning When they sent you over the top? Did you shout with relief, or in sheer disbelief, vainly pray that this nightmare would stop?
How did you feel that morning When the bullets started to fly? Did you think even then that you might cheat death again, Or did you know you were going to die?
How did you feel that morning As the lifeblood slipped away? Did you try to make sense of these crazy events Or with one final breath try to pray?
How do I feel this morning In the face of such slaughter and sorrow? Do I just stand aghast as I think of the past Or give all for a better tomorrow?
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