Lyndhurst Remembers
Lyndhurst School came together today for our annual act of Remembrance. During our Remembrance Service today Lyndhurst School, children and staff gathered around the Headmaster’s lawn to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during all wars. Rupert recited ‘It’s Normal for Me’, a poem written by a submariner’s son and Tilly recited ‘The Grieving Parents’ by a 14-year-old. Both their recitations were beautiful and powerful. After the distant Church bells all the children, from Pre- Reception to Year Six, respectfully were quiet and reflective whilst they observed the silence. Year Six planted the poppies and lay a wreath. Thank you to Miss Worcester for making the wonderful wreath on display at the school. The Remembrance Service had a particular poignancy today as we gathered, at the appropriate distant apart, outside as a whole school this term.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
The Grieving Parents by Beth Warwick
There they stand
Gazing sorrowfully over the rows of graves
Keeping watch over their sleeping children
Weeping behind their stone facades
The cold has frozen water droplets
To their cheek
Their tears held fast
In the depths of Winter
The snow falls thick
Smothering where they lie
Their boys
Their happy, heroic dead
If they could
Would they break from their stance
Of eternal grief
Bend down to brush the snow from their cribs
Sing them a sweet lullaby
To soothe their fears, quell the horrors
Heal the wounds with a brush of their icy lips
At very least put a name to their bones
But they never will
Instead they grieve
For the hollow loss of life, and hope,
And the sons who paid the price of war
*The Grieving Parents statue stands in Vladslo war cemetery, Germany
This is normal for me
This is normal for me, but some people don’t know how it feels.
It can get rough sometimes, children tease because I’m different.
Dad is not there.
I watch the sea for him, I stand still and stare.
This is normal for me, but it might be different if you stayed around a lot.
Christmas, birthdays, holidays, New years, when we have been apart.
Missing someone so much I have no words for being so sad.
Separation and silence.
This is normal for me, counting days until youa re gone.
No mark on the calendar to count down your return.
You had to leave me in hospital, I knew you had to go.
You do such a good job and you were hurting too I know.
This is normal for me, it would help if you knew how it feels.
To feel special, to be part of my family and community.
Every time I see you I am filled with such joy.
You’re important to me, you’re important to everybody, our country.
I still watch the sea. This is normal for me.
By Jacob, age 10
Serving submariner’s son
