Byfield School

Dan Clayton’s “Brother” – the original was handwritten and illustrated. Young Dan's poem was judged joint (with Peggy of Culworth) "BEST of the BEST" out of the five junior schools in our District who entered our competition, if you read-on, we think you'll agree...

Hello dear brother

I know you can hear

I know you’re still with me

I have no fear

Remember growing up

In our rotten, rickety house

Where everywhere you turn

You would see a mouse?

War broke out

I knew what I had to do

My country needed me

It needed you too

We were deployed in the desert

It was exciting

Although at the same time

It was frightening

Then it hit you

My feet glued to the ground

I watched in horror

As you fell down

I got down on my knees

I prayed you’d be okay

The odds were against us

We lost you the next day

I hand made a cross

On it was your name

Since the day they fired

My life hasn’t been the same

I know you can see the world now

The children crying

The animals tortured

The people dying

Hello dear brother

I know you can hear

I know you’re still with me

I have no fear