Before I knew about war
we were fearless soldiers
advancing across childhood.

Before I knew about death
I knew how to fall
from Saturday morning films.

Before I knew about fear
I was such a hero
that always won the day.

Before I knew about guilt
life was never real
in stretched imagination.

I learnt real horror later
in the bloody cost of war
remembered now with poppies,

and yearly commemoration.
We fail to learn a lesson
again and again and again

because of who we are
and the lies we live by.
The real truth knows us.

Gordon Scapens was born in Liverpool in 1934. Now lives in Preston. He won first prize in the Brian Nesbit Poetry Award. His latest collection is History Doesn’t Die (Caparison, 2024).

Poetry submissions to thursdaypoems@gmail.com