Every Poppy Counts Poem by Denis Martindale

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It's true that every poppy counts, recalling sacrifice,
And though each weighs less than an ounce, that comes as no surprise.
The dainty flowers known and worn, by both the young and old,
Help us reflect on those we mourn and gets their stories told.
Man's history gets taught in schools and on our TV screens,
As wars turn wise men into fools until God intervenes.
For even wars must come and go until some peace returns,
Until the next war comes to show the little that Man learns.

And oh, the pity of it all, the tragedy and shame,
Life's not esteemed a miracle, regarded as a game.
I dare you this! I dare you that! I challenge you to fight!
And then they start, right where they're at, to hurt with all their might.
And all for what? We're bound to ask, for peace proves blessed indeed,
Yet keeping peace still proves a task, as shown by those that bleed.
As shown by those that went to war, defending all they had,
Sometimes for pride and not much more, how wicked and how sad.

If you wear your poppy with pride, your charity gets shown,
Outside your heart that beats inside where all great love gets known.
You walk and talk of times gone by, not of donations shared,
Yet even words stop when you cry, at thoughts that prove you cared.
For conscience lingers in our minds, then in our tears as well,
In memories that each one finds, of times some went through Hell!
Yes, we remember soldiers still, though wars we would renounce.
To those that fight, for good or ill, yes, every poppy counts!


Denis Martindale. November 2021.


This poem is to support the Poppy Appeal
with thanks to the Royal British Legion.