Wear A Poppy

 

Please Wear a Poppy

“Please wear a Poppy”, the lady said 
And held one forth, but I shook my head. 
Then I stopped to watched to see how she would fare – 
Her face was old and lined with care, 
But beneath the scars that the years had made 
There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street, 
Bouncing along on carefree feet. 
His smile was full of joy and fun, 
“Lady”, he said, “may I have one?” 
As she pinned it on I heard him say 
“Why do we wear a Poppy today?”

The lady smiled in her wistful way 
And answered, ” This is Remembrance Day. 
The Poppy there is a symbol for 
The gallant men 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 years went on he learned and grew 
And became a man as you will too”.

“He was fine and strong with a boyish smile, 
But he seemed with us just a little while. 
When war broke out he went away – 
I still remember his face that day, 
When he smiled at me and said, “Goodbye – 
I’ll be back soon, 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 still see it in my dreams at night. 
With tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire, 
And mines and bullets, the bombs and fire”.

“Until 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 your son – did he come home all right?” 
A tear rolled down each faded cheek – 
She shook her head but didn’t speak. 
I slunk away – head bowed in shame 
And if you were with me, you’d have done the same. 
For our thanks in giving is oft delayed, 
Though our freedom was bought and thousands paid.

And so you see – when a Poppy is worn, 
Let us reflect on the burden borne 
By all those who gave their very all 
When asked to answer their Country’s call. 
That we at home in peace may live – 
Then wear a Poppy – remember – and give!

By: Unknown Poet

It is a simple decision to make. Remember and give. It is disturbing to note that if you google “selling poppies” you will get numerous returns about citizens being kicked out of establishments for selling poppies. Not only in Canada but in England as well. One headline said: “Blind WW2 Veteran Mugged While Selling Poppies.” These people who are collecting for a veterans fund are being mugged and kicked to the curb! That is just wrong. In Toronto, “Poppy Selling Vet Bounced” — Toronto Sun. this man was 85 and had joined Britian’s Royal Navy when he was 16. “They have some nerve resenting me standing on their property and telling me to get off. I couldn’t believe anyone could be so obnoxious.

“We made it possible for him (the security guard) to have a job. He wouldn’t have it if Hitler had won.” 

 Another report told of Air Cadets being kicked out of a mall in Regina for selling poppies.

“86 year old veteran, Lionel” (the blind man mentioned above) “is a gentleman through and through. He was not angry, but felt only pity for the robber. He said, 

” I don’t feel angry. I feel sorry for them because they’ve obviously got something missing. “The British Legion asked me ‘Are you sure you want to carry on collecting?’ But I’ve got will power. I wanted to do it. The money is urgently needed. I remember the teenage soldiers who gave their lives, the people who came back with no legs, no arms, no eyes. I wish I could do more collections.”

Bless that old man, what a wonderful attitude to have, how gracious of him. 

“There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.” — Josh Billings (1818-1815)