Proudly Displayed Poem by Paul Warren

An old soldier was sitting on a park bench
When I happened to stop and rest awhile
He said I'm getting weary of these days
As I see my old comrades fade away

He looked at the poppy I was wearing
You know your poppy should be worn with pride
With some saying men should wear it on the left
And women should wear it on the right
Although the Queen wears hers on her left

For the red of the poppy is for the blood shed
On those terrible dark days remembered
The black centre is in grief for those we lost
Finally remember to wear it at 11 am on your chest
For the time the guns fell silent

I shook his hand and said
Thank-you for your service
And I left him sitting in the sun
An ANZAC with his duty done
So proudly wear your poppy for them.

© Paul Warren Poetry