Luton Outlaws - Independent Message Board for Luton Town FC

A WW1 poem by Lutonian Austin Small, son of LTFC player Gilbert Small.

THAT LITTLE WOODEN CROSS

In the glorious fields of Flanders,
Where the sad sweet poppies wave,
And cornflowers keep their vigil
O'er many a lonely grave,
There stands a little emblem,
Rough hewn and void of gloss,
But it tells its own life story -
That little wooden cross.

It tells of a khaki laddie,
Brave in the joy of life,
Who sprang to freedom's banner
And joined in the mighty strife.
It whispers of life's great gamble,
And it tells who 'won the toss.'
It marks a life's ambition -
That little wooden cross.

It tells of an unknown hero
Who fell in the great onslaught,
Sacrificed on the altars
Of Mars and Juggernaut.
It tells of noble deeds unsung,
Oe'r field and floe and floss.
It closes life's great chapter -
That little wooden cross.

Many have won promotion,
Medals and honours great,
But many, many thousands
Have won to heaven's gate.
And there in the cornflower's kingdom
Nestling among the moss,
They have won the greatest gift of all -
A Little Wooden Cross.