THE armed forces careers office in Micklegate has pushed its shiny polished mortar bomb back slightly from its permanent window display this week... to accommodate its tray of poppies and a collecting tin.

How ironic that the two should stand together so briefly - one a weapon of lethal destruction, the other a reminder of the cost of all wars.

Next week the poppies will be gone - their fortnight of flame red flowering forgotten. The shiny mortar bomb will resume its predominant place and its purpose of enticing young men and women into the excitement and adventure of war.

Some run the risk of returning home in body bags; but the justification for their deaths will continue to be made by conning, blinkered politicians. Futility forgotten in a flame red poppy.

Bob Drought,

Beaconsfield Street,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:39 Wednesday, November 12, 2003