POPPIES FOR REMEMBRANCE

We remember and are thankful
     to many whose faces 
          and names are unknown to us
but who were drowned and killed 
     as they fought on the beaches
          of Normandy
               seventy five years ago.

Someone's
    husband
         father
              son
                   brother 
                        fiancé 
all courageous, brave and heroic.

Today as we remember them,
     many tears will be shed
          by those who lost loved ones 
and never had
         the chance
              to say a last “Goodbye”.

The freedom 
    they fought for 
         is real
              not abstract - 
freedom from fear 
    injustice and
         bigotry
freedom 
    to choose 
         to act and
              to speak out.

We will remember 
     and honour them
          with love
              sadness   
                   respect and
                        gratitude;
these poppies are a reminder
     of all those 
          who were loved
               and lost. 

© Maureen Iles 6 June 2019

Remembering especially today Ernest Sidney Iles, Mr. HCB's uncle, who was killed in action on 10th July 1944, aged 24.