#1
LEST WE FORGET "
They shall not grow old.......
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 scars the year's 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'd 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 a symbol for,
The gallant men who died in the 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 year's went bye he learned and grew,
And became a man, as you will too,
He was fine and strong with boyish smile,
But he 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 goodbye,
I'll be back soon mum, please don't cry,
But the War went on and he had to stay,
And 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 the cruel barbed wire,
And the mines, bullets, bombs and fire,
Till at last at last the 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 did your son come back all right,
A tear rolled down each faded cheek,
She shook her head but did not speak,
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you'd have done the same,
For our thanks in giving is off delayed,
Though 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 they're very all,
When asked to answer their Country's call,
That we at home in peace might live,
Then wear a poppy, remember and give.
"THEY GAVE UP THEIR TOMORROW FOR OUR TODAY "
LET'S NEVER FORGET WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE FOR US
#2
Thank you. And for those who cannot get out or want something special try this link. I buy stuff there.
http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/Guest 657- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,037
#3
Lovely poem Alan, thanks for posting it.
Thanks for the link Bern, I love the poppy jewellery and it's a very worthy cause too so I am happy to shop.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#4
I agree Jeane - lovely poem Alan and thanks for the link Bern, I didn't realise the Royal British Legion had a web-site, although thinking about it, I should have realised.
A big thank you.
Roger
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#5
A lovely and sad poem, it's true we shouldn't forget.