Please wear a Poppy the lady said And held one forth, but I shook - TopicsExpress

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 carefree feet His smile was full of joy and fun Lady, He said 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 here is the symbol for The gallant men who died in the 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 grew And became a man - as you will too He was fine and strong with a boyish smile But he seemed with us such a little while When war broke out he went away I still remember his face that day Then he smiled at me and said goodbye Ill be back soon Mum, So please dont 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 still see it in my dreams at night) With the tanks and the guns and the cruel barbed wire And the mines and the bullets and the bombs and the fire Till at last the war was won Thats why we wear a Poppy son The small lad turned as if to go The said Thanks lady, Im glad to know That sure did sound like an awful fight But your son - did he come home alright? A tear rolled down each faded cheek She shook her head but didnt speak I slunk away in a sort of shame And if you were me, Youd have done the same For our thanks in giving is oft delayed Though our freedom was bought - Thousands paid And so when you see a Poppy worn Let us reflect on the burden borne By those who gave their very all When asked to answer their countrys call That we at home in peace might live And then wear a Poppy Remember - And Give