Lest we forget
 

Please buy a Poppy, the lady said,

And held one out, but I shook my head.

I stopped and watched her standing there,

Her face was old and lined with wear,

`Beneath the scars, the years had made,

Remained a smile that did not fade.

A boy came whistling down the street

Bouncing along on carefree feet.

His smile was full of joy and fun,

“Lady” said he, can I have one.

She pinned it on and he turned to say

Why do we wear a Poppy today?

The lady smiled without a flaw,

“For all the boys who died in war.

Because they did, we are free

So we wear this 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.

The years went by, he learnt and grew,

As, in time, you will too!

When war broke out, he went away,

All I could do was wait and pray.

His letters told of the awful fight,

Which, I can see, in dreams at night.

Tanks and bombs and cruel barbed wire,

Bullets and mines, screams and fire.

The fields were gone, the land all bare,

Yet seedlings spouted from their lair.

The Poppy grew and flowered red,

And breathed sweet perfume upon the dead.

The soldiers saw this sight with awe

Which gave them strength to fight the war.

Until at last, the war was won,

“That’s why we wear a Poppy, son ".

“The small boy turned as if to go,

Thanks Lady", I’m so glad to know,

That sure did sound an awful fight

Was your son safe, and so alright.

She shook her head but didn't speak

A tear rolled down each faded cheek,

I slunk away, so full of shame,

If you were me, you”d do the same.

Our thanks in giving is oft delayed,

Our freedom bought and thousands paid.

So when you see a Poppy worn,

Reflect upon the burden borne.

By those who gave their very all

When asked to answer, Country's call.

So buy a Poppy for all who died,

And show it clearly with great pride.

Re: Lest we forget
 

Lest they be forgoten....:goodpost:

Re: Lest we forget
 

Beautiful post, Kitty - I haven't seen that poem before........

Re: Lest we forget
 

Awesome! Got mine on today!

Re: Lest we forget
 

Same.

:goodpost:

Re: Lest we forget
 

good poem !

Re: Lest we forget
 

I forgot mine. It's in an old cufflinks box ready from last year.

Buggerations.

Re: Lest we forget
 

Wearing last year's poppy?? Isn't that ranked somewhere alongside touching up Princess Anne in the 'Not The Done Thing' list?? :sneaky:

I think I still have an annual standing order to the Royal British Legion from my old bank account back home........ hope so, anyway.........

Re: Lest we forget
 

I was thinking the same. Youth of today eh! ;)

Bought mine last week from Harvesters in the Crowne Plaza. There's a tin on the bar.

Re: Lest we forget
 

Serious question - does the money in the tin actually reach the Royal British Legion back home? :confused:

Re: Lest we forget
 

It was a gift from a friend when he heard I didn't get one last year. I will now try and wear it every year....as well as to donate (which I did this year by giving my mrs money to put in the box at her school).

So.....bugger off you lot, I'm not that bad.

Re: Lest we forget
 

I expect so.... it was an official tin. and where else would you get the poppies from?

Re: Lest we forget
 

My toddler ate this year's poppy :thumbdown: I buy one every year but have usually lost it within a few hours of purchase :unsure:

Re: Lest we forget
 

Lovely poem. I copied it, if that's ok with you :)

Re: Lest we forget
 

Yes, but that incident with you and Princess Anne...... well, really........ :ohmy: