Footprints throughout time

Tramp, tramp, tramp. We watch them going
and throughout time hear their voices flowing.
See the phantom footprints through the mist.
Remember those who are so dearly missed.

We follow their footprints through war torn times
midst the muddy trenches in foreign climes.
Amongst toil and danger as they walk on,
through hail of bullets and the blast of bomb.

We see the footprints in the steep trench wall
ploughing on although so many others fall.
With grim determination taking one step more
unstopped by the awful turmoil of war,

Onward and upwards through conflict and strife,
willing to make that ultimate sacrifice.
Through the valley of death their footprints went.
So that we might live, their lives they spent.

So many footprints trod those war torn ways!
So few returned to see these better days!
And so with these footprints we pave the way.
Remembering those not with us today.

This poem was written to commemorate Remembrance Day when we placed cut-outs of footprints throughout Tilehurst.