The sepia tone of November has gone –
wrote Harry Smith – aged ninety-one –
seeing worn-out – blood-red – poppies as lies –
pinned politic medals on cut-back lives
Dignity – for the aged – the infirm and unwell
should not be hacked so this state can sell
the last shards of a now-curtailed reward –
gained fair in blood – in post-war accord
Death-won promises of a better world –
Instead they insist such respect is culled
On Harry Smith’s lapel no poppy was worn –
For him the Old Wars were still to be won
E 281118
MIKE BELL | 10,000 Poems 