Sunday 9 November 2008

We Remember.......

I found this beautifully written poem on the Internet, it moved me to tears. Please read it as it portrays what Poppy Day is all about, and we will remember them..........

Why Wear A Poppy

"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" said he "may I have one?"

When she pinned it on, he turned to say:

"Why do we wear a poppy to-day?"



The lady smiled in her wistful way

And answered: "This is Remembrance Day,

`And the poppy there is a symbol for

The gallant men who died in the 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 good-bye.

'I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry.'

But the war went on and he had to stay

And all l could do was wait and pray.



"His letters told us of the awful fight

(I can see at in my dreams at night),

With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,

And the mines and the bullets, the bombs and the fire."



"That sure did sound like an awful fight,

But your son - did he come back alright?"

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 with me, you'd have done the same;

For our thanks, in giving is aft 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 very all

When asked to answer their country's call

That we at home in peace might live.

Then wear a poppy! - and give!


A man called George Totten wrote
this beautiful poem

10 comments:

Willow said...

Jane, that poem really is very moving, it brought a tear to my eye too. It's so very imortant that we all remember, we take so much for granted sometimes don't we? Thank you for sharing this touching poem on this very important day.

Willow xx

Susan D said...

I'm writing this with tears rolling down my face Thank You for sharing such a moving poem - We Will Remember......

Leanne said...

I know that poem, its lovely isnt it?

lest we forget, indeed.

leanne x

Anonymous said...

I agree, and also I think you chose a wonderful picture to go with it - a very powerful image. liZZie x

aromatic said...

Hi willow, thank you so much for the lovely comment. It is a very moving poem and it really spoke to me... George Totten who wrote the poem certainly had a lovely way with words.... I agree I do think we take a lot for granted at times and occasions like this give us an opportunity to stop and appreciate just how lucky we all are... Jane xxx

susan d, thank you for the lovely comment and thank you so much for visiting my blog... the poem also had me in tears... I just had to put it on my post and share it.. the man who wrote the poem George Totten is very talented indeed.
I have visited your blog and I think you are producing some wonderful creations.. how clever you are!! Good luck with module 3... I imagine it will be wonderful to work with colour after all of that black and white!! as gorgeous as it was. Will have to visit again to see how you are doing!!
Jane xxx

Leanne, thank you for the lovely comment. I had never seen the poem before but I was so moved by it I just had to include it on my blog. I think it was so beautifully written.
Jane xxx

Hi LiZZie, thank you for your lovely comment. I loved the picture. Poppies are one of my favourite flowers. The poem was so moving and so beautifully written I just had to include it on my blog. Jane xxx

Ragged Roses said...

What a moving poem, thanks for posting it.
Kimx

Kentishmaid said...

Jane, thank you for this moving poem. Watching the Festival of
Remembrance on Saturday night and this poem bring home to me the sacrifice made by so many. We should never forget.
Frances

Greentwinsmummy said...

Moving poem x thankyou for posting & sharing it Jane x
GTM

Goosey said...

What a beautiful poem, and the picture of the poppy too, lovely post.

aromatic said...

Sorry bit late to reply... but better late than never I guess!!

Ragged Roses, Kentishmaid, Greentwinsmummy and finally Goosey,
Thank you all so much for your lovely comments which I so appreciate... Its a beautifully written poem which made me cry. I cannot imagine just what terrors and hell those soldiers went through but I will always remember them and be grateful.
Love Jane xxx