Decorated ~ November 11, 2014

           

                  art ~  Phillipe Sainte-Laudy

 

            In remembrance...

 

I was that little girl again

with the red paper poppy pinned to my dress

staring wide eyed

at the parade of men and women,

decorated and dressed in

                                   courage

                           proudly on display

 

heroes

not asking for applause, but accepting it

with humble smiles

 

but this time,

I didn’t fidget with the red paper poppy

when silence fell

and heads bowed in prayer

for those who never knew

                      the joy of coming home

 

Home…

a little emptier without you in it

 

            still,

the medals that decorated your chest

rest in peace

on the little wooden shelf

above the hearth…

 

courage

proudly on display

 

in remembrance

        of you…

 

a little girl’s hero…

my hero

 

                                                I miss you Dad

Author's Note

Growing up, every Veteran's Day would be spent watching my father lead his VFW troup in the local parade. He would pin a red paper poppy to my dress. After the parade, I would run around trying to find more poppies to make a little bouquet - not truly understanding what they stood for...This is the first year since my father passed away that I've had the strength to go to the services without him. I'm glad I went.

Reviews

[willweb]

Julie, I am not sure which is more beautiul, your wondrous poem in tribute to your father and those we have lost or your Author's Notes. I absolutely loved both. The poem was heart breaking and the story of you collecting more poppies to make a bouquet. I remember the Veteran's Day parades in my home town, we would decorate our bikes and ride at the end of the parade which would end up at the VFW hall. Great memories brought on by a wonderful poetess.

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words :) Julie

[Beccy]

This is why we must never forget. Neither my sister or I have ever missed a Remembrance day service in our lives. Both my grandfather's and their father's before them served in the armed forces, as did my grandmother, in the Women's Land Army during WW2. She lived through the blitz on Coventry and though she spoke little of it, it was clear how great an effect it had on her.

My dad is approaching seventy now, (thankfully still with us,) and he was also a member of the armed forces in the late sixties and early seventies. He has always told us how important it is to remember, not just the world wars, but every conflict and all who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Bless you, and I know your dad is looking down and smiling at his brave daughter.

Beccy.

[MsJewel]

Thank you Beccy. You are very kind. :) Julie

[Woody]

tugs at the heart strings. your father must be beaming from up there. great tribute, Jewel.

[MsJewel]

Thank you Woody :) Julie

[Ruth]

This is not only beautiful but tore right through me....a heartfelt dedication to a brave man who is still kept very much alive in your heart with love and cherished honour, beautiful love x

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words Poppy :) Julie

[MomzillaNC]

What a lovely tribute to your father… and to all the fathers who didn't make it home. I made me a little teary.

[MsJewel]

Thank you :) Julie

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome.

[M.A.Rathore]

Julie
That's a great writing. You write awesome with so few diction. I like your pictorial art. I also wept for the rememberence of your father who sacrificed his life for the survice of the country. Your poem let us see as a movie we are watching...fighting...medals... poppy flowers...as if lively . And your story of decoration with flowers makes us more pathatic . . Thanks sharing so amazing poems !

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind and generous comment. I appreciate it very much :) Julie

[M.A.Rathore]

Welcome always..

[Trace]

I, probably know better than most how much your father meant to you
and how much respect you had for him
And your love for him was so apparent in his passing.

This poem and story brought tears to my eyes...... not just for the poem,
But for the truth in the story and how reverently you expressed your memories and emotions.

I know he was smiling to see you at the parade with your paper poppy.
He was a proud papa too.

HUGGS. Trace

[MsJewel]

Thank you Trace. You more than anyone know how much I miss him. Hugs, Julie

[Troy Henson]

Such a moving tribute Julie filled with memories that will last a lifetime. So much emotion and thought went into this which says one thing....the love for your father couple with such gorgeous memories has developed into this one beautiful piece of writing.

Troy

[MsJewel]

Thank you Troy :) Julie

[Eleanor]

Firstly be strong please :) Hope his soul rests in peace. He would be so happy to see his daughter writing such great poems about him :)
Your love for him and your poem both are really beautiful. Dads are a girls hero. Her first prince. Someone who would never break her heart and someone who she can trust. Her first love. You write about all your memories so smoothly. That thing about trying to find more poppies got a smile on my face,
Another great poem by you :)

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your compassionate words :) Julie

[wordman]

a sweet tribute julie,i`m sure he knows

[MsJewel]

Thank you Ron :) Julie

[Pushkar Prabhat]

this was moving............
written with such love and dedication.....
I am sorry for your loss and pray that his soul rest in peace!
Beautiful Tribute!!!
i loved this poem!!!
:)

[MsJewel]

Thank you for your kind words :) Julie

[Pushkar Prabhat]

you are welcome.....:) :)