2nd. Lieutenant George Williamson Borthwick: Born 1896. Killed in Action 2016.
My great uncle

These thoughts came to me as I was playing the piano.  I would like to write a tune for them but at the moment that is eluding  me. They are of course not the words of a hymn or even a spiritual song, they are not specifically Christian thoughts even, but just  a simple poem penned by a Christian,  that may be set to a tune if I have enough skill. Though I claim copyright please feel free to share with friends…. I hope my thoughts might spark off your own on the 11th day of  the 11th month.

11th Hour

That we might have tomorrows
They gave their todays,
11th month proud sorrow
Won’t let them fade away.

How then shall we honour those
Who gave for us their all?
How raise this day the heroes
From where comrades saw them fall?

In silence we’ll remember
Listening to Flanders flowers,
Dearest blood for darkened earth
Deserves an offering of worth.

Minutes, be not quiet,
Speak with thunderous power!
Past, invade the present,
Their 11th hour be ours!

Will  our hearts awake with gratefulness,
Will green stems among us grow
From such seeds of selflessness,
From “greater love” can no one show?

(Copyright, Kenny Borthwick)