Please Wear A Poppy
Don Crawford

“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 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 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’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 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 cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the 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 your son - did he come back all right?”

A tear rolled down each faded check;
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,
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 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!

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Posted by forhimigiveall

I always buy a poppy. Very nice poem.

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Posted by kimalita

Is this for your veterans ( those that fight in the war ) holiday? I have a friend that use to live here in the states but is now in Dundee, Scotland -- she told me over the weekend something about this. I think this was it. Beautiful poem

Hope all is well.

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Posted by Anonymous

Beautiful Poem!
Very nice!

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Posted by OldSchoolMarm

Hi, wanted to let you know I'm back blogging again. Sorry I so abruptly dropped off the end of cyber-space but I just had to let this go for awhile. It's good to be back though and I'm looking forward to catching up :-).
Blessings, Julie

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Posted by Joycemarie

Have a wonderful week. How is your weather? We are very cold and snowy so far this winter...not very happy about that...but nothing I can do about it. Are you getting ready for Christmas? I would love to know some of your traditions...

~Joyce

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Posted by Joycemarie

May God bless you and your family.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Joyce

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Posted by franbles99

Hi there! Where has your blog gone? I recognise this entry from ages ago, not least because it appeared in my google reader so you must have set it on all for viewing - but I visit here to read everything else and it all seems to have vanished! Hope you are okay.
God bless
Sarah

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