Flanders Red

In the spirit of Anzac Day 25 April 2020

I remember you
Flanders red
young zealous souls marched forward
in the name of God
left your virgin first love
gave you all in exchange for honour
hoped to return to your lover’s arms
in victory
in purity

I remember you
Flanders red
restless young men found despair
in the valley of the shadow of death
your fear soaked night terrors
robbed you of peace
traded you for mercy
when your blood turned cold
in the abandon field
so did your lover’s tears
turned to snow

I remember you
Flanders red
skeletal hollow men dragged your knees
thirsty, hungry, insomniac
fell on the door steps
of your lover’s house
greeted by someone else’s wife
what could you possibly take from a dead man

Ephesians 6:12 English Standard Version (ESV)
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.