A poem for Remembrance day


“Please wear a poppy”, the old lady said

And held one forth, but I shook my head

Then I stopped and watched, to see how shed fare

Her face was old, and lined with care,

Yet beneath the scars, the years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade.


A boy came whistling down the street

Bounding along on his carefree feet

His smile was full of joy and fun

“Lady” he said, “can I have one?

 As she pinned it on I heard him say

“Why do we wear the poppy today?”


The lady smiled in her wistful way

And answered “this is remembrance day”

“The poppy is the symbol for the,The gallant men and women who died in the war”.

 “And because they did we are free, that’s why we wear the 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 learnt and grew, and became a man as you will to”,


He was fine and strong with a boyish smile,

But he seemed to be with us a such a short while

When the War broke out he went away I can still remember his face that day

When he smiled at me and said goodbye “I will be back soon, so please don’t cry”


But the War went on and he had to stay

All I could do was wait and pray

His letters told of an awful fight

I can see it still in my dreams at night

With the tanks and guns and the cruel barb wire

And the mines and bullets, the bombs and the fire


Until at last the War was won

And that is why we wear the poppy son

The small boy turned as if to go

Then stopped and said “Thank you lady, I’m glad I know”

That sure did sound like an awful fight “But your son, did he come home all right”?


A tear rolled down each faded cheek, she shook her head

But didn’t speak. I slunk away, head bowed in shame,

And if you were me, you’d have done the same,

For our thanks in giving is often delayed

Though our freedom was bought by the legions who paid.


And so, when you see a poppy worn

Let us reflect on the burden borne

By those who gave their precious all

When asked to answer their countries call

That we at home, in peace may live

Then wear a poppy, remember, and give.


Powerful..  Joshua Dyer (aged 14) was tasked at school to write a poem for Remembrance Day. 

An hour later (without any help) he produced this..


ONE THOUSAND MEN ARE WALKING


One thousand men are walking


Walking side by side


Singing songs from home


The spirit as their guide


they walk toward the light milord


they walk towards the sun


they smoke and laugh and smile together


no foes to outrun


these men live on forever


in the hearts of those they saved


a nation truly grateful


for the path of peace they paved


they march as friends and comrades


but they do not march for war


step closer to salvation


a tranquil steady corps


the meadows lit with golden beams


a beacon for the brave


the emerald grass untrampled


a reward for what they gave


they dream of those they left behind


and know they dream of them


forever in those poppy fields


there walks one thousand men


Joshua Dyer 2019 (aged 14)

        Lest we forget