MLEO
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2000
- Messages
- 110
today is known as Remembrance Day in Canada and Vetern's Day in the U.S.
Sad to say I am at work today, apparently Remembrance Day is not that important to some people.
Before we take the time to remember that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the First Great Hate of the 20th Century ended and we reflect on the loss of so much of the promise of our future and what might have been, I thought I would share this note which was sent to me by a friend on Friday.
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 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 Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant man who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free,
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.
And 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 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 mine and bullets, the bombs and fire.
'Till at last, at last, the 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 burdens born,
By these 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.
Sad to say I am at work today, apparently Remembrance Day is not that important to some people.
Before we take the time to remember that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the First Great Hate of the 20th Century ended and we reflect on the loss of so much of the promise of our future and what might have been, I thought I would share this note which was sent to me by a friend on Friday.
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 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 Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant man who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free,
That's why we wear a poppy, you see.
And 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 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 mine and bullets, the bombs and fire.
'Till at last, at last, the 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 burdens born,
By these 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.
