we will remember them

A little piece I created for Remembrance Day a few years ago.

We will remember those who fell

The ones who signed up for

A world we couldn’t have a chance

Of imagining

Of understanding

Of knowing what

Was over there

On the orange lit horizon that

Is burning with a thousand lives

That wasted in the winter months.

It’s the weekend of Remembrance, and I think that it’s a meaningful period to really spend some time reflecting on mistakes we have made in the past, and thinking about how we should never make them again.

Unfortunately, human nature is such that we are likely to keep repeating these things, and there always seems to be a war or some kind of conflict somewhere in the world. Perhaps one day that will all change.

We had a wreath laying ceremony at our school and it was streamed into all the classrooms on Youtube. I had a goup of twelve year olds and most were respectful, but some were just treating it as a bit of a joke.

I chose to have a conversation with the whole class when the ceremony was over, and rather than scream at the naughty ones, we all talked about why we stop and remain silent for two minutes. I hope that the conversation will stay with some of the ones that didn’t understand.

Hopefully those kids will go out into the world and actively make sure that we don’t have to remain silent for another group of men and women that have to lay down their lives for the ego of a leader.

Much Love

Rachel xx

One thought on “we will remember them

  1. Margot Kinberg

    That’s a powerful tribute, Rachel. It is right to think of those who gave their lives for people who weren’t even born yet. And I think you handled your students beautifully. It’s much better to have a real conversation about why we observe than it is to spend the time yelling at those who didn’t take it seriously. Your way, they may learn to have some respect the memories of those lost, and to appreciate what they have because of those who were lost.

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