The corn poppy

The corn poppy.
Red, delicate petals,
remind us of the killing fields,
of World War 1.

First flower to grow
after the horror of war.
Immortalised in the poem –
In Flanders Field.

Where men did their duty
for king and country.
Laid down their lives,
so you could live yours.

Remind the living of the sacrifice.
Perhaps, not all is lost.
Reminds us of the fear. The sorrow.
The terror these men suffered.

They were afraid, but they did
what was expected.
Like lambs to the slaughter.
These men went.

So you and me; our children
could be free from tyranny.
The poppies remind us to act with
compassion. With purity of mind.

Ask that love, not hate, be the
default. Generosity not greed.
So, let’s remind ourselves
of the narrative of the poppy.

Let’s remind ourselves of the
courage of the many and remember,
we could all be just a bit nicer to
each other. Me included!