Poppy – a poem of remembrance

Since Remembrance Day is almost here (11th November), I thought I would try to pen a poem about the Poppy as a tribute to the fallen of World War One…Known as “The Great War” and also as “The War to End All Wars”. Of course, history shows that this “Great War” did not, unfortunately, end all wars, and whether you agree with armed conflict or not, it should not diminish the bravery of the men who fought….and the many who died….in the hope of protecting the freedom of those they left behind in their homelands.

The War to end All Wars, they said

They called it that, but they were wrong

This poem is for the millions dead

And for the flowers that they fought among.

The poppies grew on Flanders Field

Red petals match the red blood spilled

Those brave young men refused to yield

And on those muddy fields were killed.

We wear the poppy to remember them

And the reasons that they died

Through our button-hole we place the stem

The red poppy, worn with pride.

On a personal note, both of my grandfathers, along with their brothers, fought in WW1. Thankfully my grandfathers came home safely. My father and uncles fought in WW2 – again came home safely, although one uncle lost an arm in the conflict. I am thankful that so far, me, my brother and my sons have been spared the horror of having to fight in WW3. I remain hopeful that this fragile peace, in which we currently live, continues.