Remembrance Day

Walking back from college, it was heartwarming to go past groups of schoolchildren holding giant self-made paper poppies in their hands; some cars even had poppies attached to their bonnets. Two kindly old ladies and I exchanged nods and smiled when we saw each other's poppies... it was a different atmosphere on the streets today.

I know I've gone on enough about poems and such but this is really a lovely one...

Why wear a poppy

“Please wear a poppy”, the lady said
and held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care,
But beneath the scares the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet
His smile was full of joy and fun,
“Lady”, said he “May I have one?”
When she pinned it on he turned to say,
“Why do we wear a poppy, today?”

The lady smiled In her wistful way,
And answered “This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men ands women who died in war,
And because they did, you and I are free,
That’s why we wear a poppy, you see.

I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
And became a man - - as you will too.”

He was fine and strong with a boyish smile,
But he’d seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said “good-by,
I’ll soon be back, Mon, so please don’t cry”.

But the war went on and he had to stay,
All I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night.)
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire”.

“Till at last, war was won,
And that’s why we wear a poppy son”.
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said “thanks, lady”, I’m glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight.
But your son – did he come back all right?”

A tear rolled down each faded cheek,
She shook her head, but didn’t speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you have done the same,
For our thanks in giving, is oft delayed,
Through our freedom was bought – And thousands paid,

And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne
By those who gave their, very all
And asked to answer their country’s call,
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy. Remember – and Give!
~ Don Crawford

Also, posted on 4th Nov: What's with the Poppy?

posted by Husky @ 11/11/2004 11:03:19 PM  |