POPPIES FOR REMEMBRANCE

On this Remembrance Sunday 
     in Churches and ceremonies
          up and down our land,
we remembered - 
     and were thankful 
          to many whose faces and names 
               are unknown to us
but who were killed 
     as they fought in two World Wars
          and in many other conflicts
               all over the world.

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