Boddington CofE Primary Academy

Isaac Samuel Kirby’s “Beginning to End” – hand illustrated

I heard joyful and jubilant shouts, hundreds of decibels loud from the army band

I saw a mammoth ocean of flat caps, like lily pads on waves

I felt a sea of anxieties drowning me in sorrow; will I be erased from my family?

I thought my sorrow tears may water my tree of worries and grow into darkness towering over me like a sky-high tsunami

FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY, FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY

I heard anonymous, heartbroken yells from the tarnished enemy trenches

I saw a bonfire of enemy aircraft shooting in the sky like ashes from a fire proposing death

I felt a blazing fire inside my mournful body crashing dramatically like fireworks

I thought my transparent tears will show my true sorrow fears and extinguish my fire of courage

FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY, FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY

I heard mournful and woebegone roars from my fellow comrades

I saw the dark, black silhouettes staggering across the mine hugged earth

I felt explosions in my heart weeping like babies

I thought, the Germans are people like me, am I doing the right thing?

FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY, FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY

I heard silence that seemed too quiet, much too quiet

I saw crimson-red poppies representing the lost and stolen hearts

I felt as if I was staring at my death through a microscope

I thought deeply and strongly, no-one can change who I truly am, German or English

I am me 

FIGHT FOR MY FAMILY, FIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY