A Penny for a Poppy

Hello readers, 

As Remembrance Day is in two days time I've written a special midweek post to mark the occasion. As a centre-left, liberal, stop-to-smell-the-roses, wannabe hippy pacifist, I've never understood war. Hell, I don't understand the existence of guns. I've fired two in my life. Once at a pumpkin which was spared it's orange flesh as I missed terribly (the concrete wall of the firing range bore the brunt of my failed marksmanship). The second time it was a double-barreled shotgun out in the English countryside where I successfully shot at the air but I was the one left wounded with an almighty bruise on my shoulder from the recoil. Guns, war, men, combat, death, fear, hate - I think these are pretty obvious, evil scars on mankind. I asked myself what the world would look like today without war because I wanted to make some sort of sense of it. I admit it's much too much for one to think that two powerful leaders of opposed countries would sit down and say, "Well chappy, what do you say we call this off and have a brew?", to which the other would say "Very well then old chap, milk and one." I suppose they'd want to throw in a few lines on borders, power, leadership, trade, etc and haggle a bit and probably drink something more like brandy rather than tea. Anyhow, this one's for those who died because others couldn't find the words to make peace and also for those who live amongst war everyday in those countries that we have grown accustomed to hearing on the news so many times that we are numbed to their situation.

A Penny for a Poppy

I'll bring the flowers,
You bring the guns.
We'll find the trouble
And kill their sons.
Your men and mischief
deep in trenches.
Tonight, tomorrow,
marching wretches.
Fool-hardy brave,

Unforgotten souls.

- Pea. 

P.S wrote this one myself after a heated debate on war, poppy wearing and respect. Thanks goes to my good friend and ally Mondonomy.