A Poppy For Armistice

 

I wear a poppy on my lapel, I wear it there with pride,

it reminds me so - all those years ago, that for me someone died.

Who was that someone, I don’t know, just as he knew not me,

but he gave his life that I might live, a life where I’d be free.

For him I’ll wear a poppy

 

He died with many thousands more, too much to comprehend,

so vast the cost - so many lost, seamed the count would never end.

To rid the world of tyranny he and they had bravely vowed,

but despite the loss and awful fear, throughout were never cowed.

For them I’ll wear a poppy

 

It matters not how hard I tried, that scene was just too much,

so I chose just one - an unknown son, one I could almost touch.

Through him I felt I’d find a way, to tell them what we knew,

just what they’d done for all of us, many hero’s, cowards few.

For him I’ll wear a poppy

 

That man who gave his life for me, and with his mates, for you,

was someone’s boy - a precious joy, perhaps a father too.

So while he may be nameless,  he lives within my heart,

because of him and others brave, I’m free till I depart.

For them I’ll wear a poppy

 

In these times of contemplation I’ll think about those days,

when time after time - men in their prime, defied the  enemy’s blaze.

And I’ll think of their descendants, could be standing next to me,

of the sacrifice their kinsfolk made, so that we might all be free.

For them I’ll wear a poppy

 

But that was all so long ago, one hundred years have gone,

and those who survived - a war so contrived, did they know just what they’d won.

We owe it now as we owed it then, though the battle’s long behind,

to keep the memories of those brave young men, forever in our mind.

For them all I’ll wear a poppy