"Private Poppy Pride"

Are you saying I'm unpatriotic
Or do I not really care?
Just because I'm not wearing a Poppy
That is so unfair.
How dare you judge me
Saying I should show one with pride
My one's on my heart
It's just worn inside.
I remember the sacrifice of the soldier
Though I don't believe in every war
Silently shedding an invisible tear
For the cannon fodder working class poor.
At my Football Club I'll bow my head
Always respecting our playing dead
For those who changed into khaki
From our Pink & Blue
Blindly making the ultimate sacrifice
Because that was the thing to do.
Something we do every season
Our oldest fan Bill is ninety four
Recalling our fallen
Inside the Boardroom door.
It never gets easier for him
As he lays his wreath
Maybe crying a little
With pain underneath.
I shall stand and pay my respects
My thoughts may be different to others
Wondering about those on the other side
From families like my mothers.
I don't wear my red Poppy
Because I think that's wrong
It's just a personal something
Don't want to make a dance and a song.
I always spare a few coins
For the Legion rattling tin
But it's a deed that's private
Something deep from within.
I've got a Poppy at home
A wristband and more
Proud of my country
So I know the score.
But I care about soldiers
That fought on all sides
Which is why I don't show off
Pretending to wear a Poppy with pride.
Can you imagine what a better place
Our world could have been
If people acted on conscience
Rather than following the masses
For Country and Queen?
World War Two was a just one
Taking on the Nazi might
But in recent years' conflicts
I can take no delight
In supporting brave soldiers
Who went into battle
But ended up gettiing slaughtered
Like an abattoir of cattle.
I've been to the Tower
Seen ceramic Poppies in the soil
If you say I'm unpatriotic not to wear one
It makes my blood boil!
To accuse me of that
Will make me rant and rave
But at least from within
I'm proud of  having a conscience
That knows how to behave.

Dulwich Poet 8th November 2014

(I wrote this in response to some people on the radio saying that everyone should be made to wear the traditional red Poppies. It should be a choice, with far too many people, I believe, wearing them just to be seen wearing them)