LEST WE FORGET

[blacktail]

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 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 and women 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 "good-by,
 
I'll soon be back, 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, 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 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, is 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
 
And asked to answer their country's call,
 
That we at home in peace might live.
 
Then wear a poppy. Remember - and Give!
 
LEST WE FORGET

[blacktail]

another Good One

Remembrance Day
 
He was getting old and paunchy
 And his hair was falling fast,
 And he sat around the Legion,
 Telling stories of the past.
 
Of a war that he once fought in
 And the deeds that he had done,
 In his exploits with his buddies;
 They were heroes, every one.
 
And tho' sometimes to his neighbours
 His tales became a joke,
 All his buddies listened quietly
 For they knew whereof he spoke.
 
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
 For old Bob has passed away,
 And the world's a little poorer
 For a Soldier died today.
 
He won't be mourned by many,
 Just his children and his wife.
 For he lived an ordinary,
 Very quiet sort of life.
 
He held a job and raised a family,
 Going quietly on his way;
 And the world won't note his passing,
 Tho' a Soldier died today.
 
When politicians leave this earth,
 Their bodies lie in state.
 While thousands note their passing,
 And proclaim that they were great.
 
Papers tell of their life stories
 From the time that they were young.
 But the passing of a Soldier
 Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
 
Is the greatest contribution
 To the welfare of our land,
 Someone who breaks his promise
 And cons his fellow man?
 
Or the ordinary fellow
 Who in times of war and strife,
 Goes off to serve his country
 And offers up his life?
 
The politician’s stipend
 And the style in which he lives,
 Are often disproportionate,
 To the service that he gives.
 
While the ordinary Soldier,
 Who offered up his all,
 Is paid off with a medal
 And perhaps a pension - though small.
 
It is not the politicians
 With their compromise and ploys,
 Who won for us the freedom
 That our country now enjoys.
 
Should you find yourself in danger,
 With your enemies at hand,
 Would you really want some cop-out,
 With his ever waffling stand?
 
Or would you want a Soldier -
 His home, his country, his kin,
 Just a common Soldier,
 Who would fight until the end?
 
He was just a common Soldier,
 And his ranks are growing thin,
 But his presence should remind us
 We may need his like again.
 
For when countries are in conflict,
 We find the Soldier's part,
 Is to clean up all the troubles
 That the politicians start.
 
If we cannot do him honour
 While he's here to hear the praise,
 Then at least let's give him homage
 At the ending of his days.
 
Perhaps just a simple headline
 In the paper that might say:
 "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
 A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
 

[walleyes]

Thank you blacktail..

And thank you to all who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for us all.. This is a great country you have helped create and uphold..

[badback]

To all military people and veterans thank you for your service!

[nube]

To all military people and veterans thank you for your service!

I agree to that.

Thanks for the touching poems Blacktail

[Sonny]

Our boys have class..