Poem: Heroes Honoured

From coal hewn warmed

Reared livestock grew food

Supped ale they’d brewed

And as they learned and grew

Town life all they knew

Everything they were

In eyesight and earshot there

Then the crack of Flanders guns

Summoned forth Burnley’s sons

And they answered where they stood

King and countries call for blood

Shoes shining, brilliantined hair

Rosy cheeked, eternal stares

Monochrome heroes, as cameras flashed

For far too many the snaps their last.

Nick Verity

Padiham