The Poppy

Look at me

And you will see

A flower painted red

To some I am

A badge for war

And not the honored dead



I am a symbol

Yes, it's true

One most misunderstood

To represent

The wars themselves

And not the common good



An emblem of hope

I wish to be

Thought of by one and all

Not for war

But for peace

And for those who took the fall



Sacrifices

They did make

To hold evil at bay

They lived and loved

And fought and won

And brought about today



Belittle not the legacy

Of love and sacrifice

For they gave to us

All they were

Without deception or artifice



So when you see my image

So red and bright and bold

Look beyond the color

To the meanings that I hold.



Honor those who gave their lives

For freedoms they represent

Do not debase their memory

By your hate and ignorance



The freedoms I embody

You would not have today

If the men and women of our forces

Did not fight in yesterday