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 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's 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, forthe gallant men who died in war,
and because they did, you and i are free,thats 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 grewand 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, goodbye,
i'll be back soon, mom, so please dont cry.but the war went on and he had to stay,
and all i could do was pray.his letters told of the awful night,
(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, at last, the war was won-and thats why we wear a poppy my son.the small boy turned as if to go,the said, thanks lady, i'm glad to know.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'd have done the same,for our thanks, in giving,if oft delayed,thought for 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 when asked to answer their country's call that we at home in peace might live.then wear a poppy! remember- and give.










PLEASE remember on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour.