Rememberance Day - Sunday 14th November 2010

We will remember them.

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce herd amid the guns below.

~

We are the Dead. Short days ago

we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

loved and were loved, and now we lie,

in Flanders Fields.

~

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

to you from failing hands we throw

the torch; be yours to hold it high.

if ye break faith with us who die

we shall not sleep, though poppies grow

in Flanders Fields.

~

Major John McRae

"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'd 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 Rememberance 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's 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 was 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 cheek;

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

thought 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!

~

Don Crawford
~
Till next Time

Akela Joy