72a.VVM.WDC.11November2013

VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial grounds at Constitution Gardens off Constitution Avenue near 21st Street, NW, Washington DC on Monday afternoon, 11 November 2013 by Elvert Barnes Photography

 

OFFERINGS ... LEFT AT THE WALL Project

 

THE INQUISITIVE MIND OF A CHILD Poem

 

Here is the original version:

 

A Poem for Remembrance Day

 

"The inquisitive mind of a child"

 

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?

Selling poppies in town today.

The poppies, child, are flowers of love.

For the men who marched away.

 

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?

Why not a beautiful rose?

Because my child, men fought and died

In the fields where the poppies grow.

 

But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?

Why are the poppies so red?

Red is the colour of blood, my child.

The blood that our soldiers shed.

 

The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy.

Why does it have to be black?

Black, my child, is the symbol of grief.

For the men who never came back.

 

But why, Mummy are you crying so?

Your tears are giving you pain.

My tears are my fears for you my child.

For the world is forgetting again.

 

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Learn more about the history of the poppy flower and Veterans Day observance at Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy

 

__________

 

Visit Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website at vvmf.org/

 

Visit Elvert Barnes VIETNAM WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL docu-project at elvertbarnes.com/VWVM

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