The boy climbed aboard
a ship-shaped playground of burnished granite
terra firma for adventure; the paternal gaze permissive
of distance growing between them
gave impetus to daring-do, and narrowing walls
mustered him further to the apex
then just before climax
blinded momentarily by late autumn sun
he hesitated; a magical happenstance
etched leaves rising to the third dimension
crunched underfoot and the point of it all
shone subliminal through the passage of time
dead reckoning to Halifax the cusp’s co-ordination
for wars in Europe, port of embarkation
maple-leaved men spanned seas of dominion
roll-calls counted by the million
child-like he touched his head, perplexed
the boy saluted
© Laura Granby 2015
Links:
Canadian War Memorial, Green Park, London:
Something for Remembrance Sunday as I’m joining with the many talents at poetry pantry
PoetryPix 
Such a touching & exquisite write.
thank you Sanaa – this moment unfolded before my eyes a year or so ago but the impact remained fresh
Oh Laura you have captured this incredible moment beautifully in picture and word….I wonder he really made of it all….wonderful tribute!
maybe he was hesitant at the height or sensitive to the memorial without knowing why
and the point of it all shone subliminal through the passage of time… that’s powerful.
reassured you felt that – thank you -‘passage of time’ felt somewhat clichéd but it was too apt as reference to ships/thoroughfare/history to choose another word
Such a profund poem – very much heightened by that powerful photograph…i wonder even if when fully grown people are sent to war they really know why…such a big sacrifice..
the notion of sacrifice is not always senseless slaughter Jae Rose – maybe the boy understands that there are always bigger things in life
Yes – put that way I understand – thank you
but other times senseless it does seem to be!
A very poignant and moving moment! The ending says it all. (We all need to remember.)
true Mary – this chap seemed to be remembering what he did not even know!
I’m just watching a series about the first world war… I really like how the little boy could understand it by playing at that memorial.. profound
that series has given rise to a most telling war poem of your own I see – From Another War
“etched leaves rising to the third dimension” – love the imagery, symbolic meaning of connectivity all generations…subconscious feelings of the little boy toward the history, place and life values…
thank you humbird there were so ,many parallels to draw inside those lines
You have painted this so clearly I can actually see his face. Wonderful!
thank you Sherry – it was the countenance of consternation
I am deeply touched!
then the words have done their work – thank you!
Haunting. So much of what we write comes from just such moments. They haunt us til we write them down, struggling like the boy to comprehend that which is just beyond our ken. Thank you for allowing all of us to partake in this moment,
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/
so true Elizabeth – this moment stayed fresh in its impact – just waiting for the words -appreciate your appreciation
with respect and awe, fallen leaves and fallen soldiers; a touching remembrance poem
much love…
P.S. you are invited to
Monday Writes #37
I liked your metaphor Gillena – so apt. Thank you for the link-up invite
What a great tribute to Canada’s contribution in the wars.
I like your linguistic connection of tribute and contribute too
Very touching.
literally and metaphorically Rosemary!