READERS have shared some moving poems following recent remembrance events for those who served the country.

Remembrance Sunday services around the county were as popular as ever this year and Dorset came to a halt at 11am the following day, Armistice Day, to remember the fallen.

Mrs Mary Blewett, of Weymouth, wanted to share this Remembrance Day poem, written by her late brother-in-law, Alan Blewett, of Worcestershire with us.

She said: "Next April it will have been four years since Alan died. He was in his late 60s when he passes away. Every year my family shares this poem on Whatsapp to remember him."

Mrs Blewett said Alan wrote the poem in part because his father and her father-in-law William 'Bill' Blewett served in the Army.

REMEMBRANCE DAY by Alan Blewett, written in 2015

People line the streets and cheer as they watch them march along.

The gaps among the soldiers' ranks unnoticed by the throng.

Look carefully though and you will see the tears upon her face

As the mother searching for her son sees just an empty space.

He'd held his mother in his arms 'Don't worry, I'll be fine.'

For her son and many others 'twas an age old parting line.

She watched him as he went to war, a smile upon her face.

Trembling lips and tears drop now for her soldier son, no trace.

Mothers, wives, and husbands too, for women go to war

Children left as mum or dad fight on some distant shore

Grans and granddads, everyone along the family chain,

Worried, will they see their loved ones once again?

Watch them marching proudly, down the streets from which they went,

Or see them shuffling sadly by, their minds and body bent.

Or will their worst dreams all come true when lines of black cars grow

With the coffins of their loved ones passing by so slow

Someone's daughter, someone's son, their baby girl or boy,

They went to war to fight for us and the freedoms we enjoy.

Remember them forever, the injured and the dead,

We needed them, now they need us to fight for them instead

So buy your poppy, wear it high, swell your chest with pride.

It was for your right to do this that so many people died

Eleventh hour, eleventh day, eleventh month each year,

It's time to bow our heads and say 'thank God that you were here'.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

THANKS also to Susan Gow, from Overcombe in Weymouth, who has shared her poem All The Horses, which was read at a remembrance ceremony in Brewery Square in Dorchester in honour of the horses, dogs, and other animals that lost their lives during the wars.

ALL THE HORSES by Susan Gow

If, remembering the dead, you think of me,

How much do you know, and what do you see?

No medals, honour or praise I claim,

Few even would have known my name.

A kindly word and a gentle touch

Was enough for me who gave so much.

For I am the timeless horse of war,

Man's fear and pain and death I bore.

To his battles of blood I was made to go,

Though I could not tell the friend from foe.

In terror I gambled and took my chance

Against sword and rifle and spear and lance.

I pulled Pharoah's chariot and soldiers' guns,

Carried wounded fathers and dying sons.

On field and desert, rock and mud

I fell with my rider and shared his blood.

Yes, I played a part in deathly rides,

I fought with Man, but never took sides.

If I could speak, then I could tell

How soon this earth can be changed to hell.

But my bonds are broken and now I am free

So this is the way to remember me -

With sun on my flanks and wind in my mane,

A green place that's home, a quiet hand on the rein.