I visit London frequently although to be quite truthful I tend to pass through
But yesterday I found that I had time to spare before my onward journey
So I used my vacancy to look at both St Pancras and Kings X in more detail
It was whilst I was exploring that I purchased a small book of poetry
These poems were by Wilfred Owen who I admire greatly
Anthem for Doomed Youth stood out for me as it was a perfect poem
Not a word or image was wasted in this incredibly painful work
I later sat under the small trees between these great stations
And thought of these boys in their first gleamings of manhood
Laying down their lives for their great and beloved country
There were many young men of similar ages passing me by
And I wondered how many of them actually loved their country
This country which had nurtured and cared for them without reward
I do not think that it had entered their minds or was likely to do so
Some were dressed in ridiculous fashions which totally ridiculed them
And others just seemed to be confused with their own identity
If a conflict started would these be the brave soldiers of yesterday
Or would they be the cowards who might hide behind the maternal aprons
It was a sobering thought and I wondered if these soldiers could see us now
What would they might make of the complete chaos of manhood today
Joe