A Poem

Blaze Bear · A Poem

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,
thats 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 dont cry.

But the war went on and he had to stay,
and all i could do was pray.
his letters told of the awful night,
(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 thats why we wear a poppy my son.
the small boy turned as if to go,
the said, thanks lady, i'm glad to know.
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 for 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.

Samm

Beautiful x

BlazingPalace

That’s why “We” should all wear our poppies with pride.
Mind you watching the remembrance service at the cenotaph on Sunday could help not get mad about the lack of Brigade attendance at this national memorial service to all those who "gave" Still it was good to see the Chief and he's other little gang members on the pride march

still at least we know what they think is important.

Blaze Bear

Don't worry to much Blazing, I will start another thread. I was told we couldn't march past the cenotapf because we weren't or aren't ex military !

I turn up on Sunday to find Minprs, Cadet's, the PDSA and Police Special's

guess what next year we as a brigade are gonna march, are gonna have a standard bearer and I really don't care what anyone says.

I've just got to find the emails from the British Legion and Chief and maybe word it a bit better

Blaze Bear

THE FINAL INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Redbusrider

After just turning up several times at our local cenotaph we had enough. We sent an email to the Borough manager and also approach our local legion branch, within a day the legion sent us an invite. We also laid a wreath sent to us on behalf of NFS. So start the ball rolling everyone and we can get to whitehall!