The Infantryman, The Sailor & The Flyer…
(Milford Haven’s War Memorial…)
The memorial is well positioned on the waterfront,
Unhidden. Unencumbered. Uninhibited.
It is an all encompassing, impressive feature,
Its three figures defiant and to fallen colleagues indebted…
The embattled infantryman rests his right hand upon his left wrist
In a stance respectful of the missing, the maimed and the slain,
Puttees are wrapped neatly around his lower legs
And steady, formidable eyes belie the war’s intolerable strain…
The fatigued sailor rests his left hand upon his right wrist
In a less formal stance, yet stoic, solemn and stern,
Neck scarf knot tied with intricate care
And staring, contemptible eyes wonder whether mankind will ever learn…
The elevated flyer wrestles on his left glove with the right at the wrist
In a dominant, belligerent stance toward the enemy, the danger and the biplane dogfights.
With goggles strapped to his warm balaclava headgear,
The disdainful countenance in his eyes conceals the airman’s perilous plights…
The memorial lies well placed, facing seaward,
Precious. Precocious. Provocative.
It is Milford Haven’s enduring commemorative feature,
The three figures truculent and to fallen colleagues votive…
Pete Ray
2nd May 2025…
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