"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
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 carefree feet,
his smile was full of joy and fun,
"Lady" he said,"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 a 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"

Ihad 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 to be with us ,such a short time.
When war broke out he went away.
I still remember his face that day,
when he smiled at me and said,
" Goodbye, I'll be back soon,Mum,
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 the cruel
barbed wire
and the bullets and mines, the bombs and fire.
till at last the war was won.

" So! that's why we wear the poppy son"

The small boy turned as if to go,
then said,"Thanks Lady,I'm glad to know.
That sure did sound an awful fight,
but your son did he come back alright?"

A tear rolled down the faded cheek
She shook her head, but did not speak.
I slunk away, feeling sick with shame
and if you'd been 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 you see a poppy worn
try to think of the burden borne
by those who gave their very all,
when asked to respond to their countries
call
That we at home in peace might live,
        SO WEAR A POPPY
     REMEMBER - AND GIVE.