Remembrance Day Sonnet Poem by C Richard Miles

There’s half of me that does not want to wear
A poppy on Remembrance Day each year,
For in my heart, I can’t approve of war
And celebrate those killers, famed of yore.
Why do we need to fight to settle scores?
Why can’t some frank discussion start to solve
The problems that too soon result in scars,
Both physical and mental, hard to salve
Even by time? But then, I think we gain
No clear advantage over despots, when
We don’t resort to bullet, bomb or gun
Unless we want to let the tyrant win.
And so, I’m in two minds, for which is best:
No poppy? Or one proudly on my chest?