She pinned a single poppy
blood red
just above her heart — on the navy blazer she would wear
to the Remembrance Day Celebration
“Please stand,” intoned the chaplain
a bugle sounded — all turned
to face the back as
one by one they stepped in unison to the front
a second bugle sound — a third
explosive silence
“Please be seated.”
He took his place at the podium
crippled, old
two sons in their uniforms stepped slowly beside him
the walk seemed long to his battle-scarred soul
tears inched their way down leathery cheeks.
With faltering voice, he beseeched all present
to live in peace and harmony for the rest of their days.
She rose from her seat
hoping she wouldn’t cry
removed the symbolic red poppy then
placed it in his hand
kissed his weathered cheek and whispered,
“God bless you, Dad. I wore this for you.”
— Eva Krawchuk, Winnipeg
