An 83-year-old Wokingham poet says his poem written to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War is just as relevant today.
Alan Brown of Wokingham read his work, called To Die For, at the pacifist remembrance gathering at Langborough Recreation Ground in Wokingham on Saturday, November 11. The venue had been changed due to Howard Palmer Gardens being closed by Wokingham Town Council.
Several of the speakers mentioned the current conflict in Palestine and Israel.
Mr Brown said: “I wrote my poem for the monthly poetry group at Wokingham Library five or six years ago, but it seems so relevant today. We don’t learn the lessons of war. Now we’ve got war in the Middle East again.”
David Chapman, a Peace Pledge Union member, who initiated the event, said: “As we gather here, the seemingly endless conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has erupted yet again in staggeringly horrific violence …
“Sadly, there are many wars and violent conflicts on the surface of this beautiful planet of ours.”
Pacifism, he said, was no soft option, but a hard realism.
Others attending contributed their thoughts, readings or prayers. Words from different faiths including Eastern Orthodox Christian, Muslim, Hebrew, Sikh and Zoroastrianism were read.
There was a short discussion about how the Middle East conflict could be ended, including finding a nation, trusted by all parties, which could convene talks.
Michael Freeman laid a wreath of white poppies at the foot of a tree.
