Veteran's Day Poem: Crosses and Poppies by John Stuart

Crosses and Poppies

The best things in life are free,

But not when it comes to Liberty;

The Right that we desire the most

Is one that tolls a heavy cost.

Long ago, before you and I were born,

A war evolved into a worldwide storm

Where guns and tanks and mustard gas

Were used to kill as each day passed.

Thousands of men were lost each day,

As battles raged in trenches gray;

Young men, whose lives were sacrificed

By those who wished war glorified.

And in the end, when war was done,

Crosses and poppies covered each son

Whose life was spent to make us free,

So respect the cost of Liberty!

© John Stuart

7 November 2013

Remembrance Day Poem - The Cost of a Poppy

The Cost of a Poppy

“How much does a poppy cost?”

I innocently asked my Dad.

I wanted one,

In much the same way

That I desired a piece of toffee

Or a licorice stick,

Or a square of chocolate.

I was too young

To know the price

And sacred value

Of a precious poppy.

I greedily wanted one,

To wear it like a sheriff’s badge

And show it off with childish pride.

I had no idea

Of what war was,

Or how it painfully wrecked

The love and lives

Of young men and women.

All I knew then

Was that a lady

Was selling poppies

In the street

To all who passed.

I stamped my foot

And raised my voice.

“I want a poppy!

How much does it cost?”

I tearfully raged

At my embarrassed Dad.

Then the Lady smiled

And graciously bent down,

Pinning a poppy,

Like a medal

To my chest.

She wiped away

My furious tears

And quietly said,

“How much does

A Poppy cost?

A life is given,

But never lost.”

©John Stuart

For 11-11-11