White poppies, not red, / Flowers without the blood. Photo: Photo: David Blaikie / flickr CC
White poppies
'White poppies' by Penny Hodges
by Penny Hodges
9th November 2012
White poppies, not red,
Flowers without the blood.
White dust, not red,
A soldier’s bed,
A pool of rust beneath his head,
A letter against his silent chest,
‘Come home soon, I love you best.’
Take from the sleeve the Swastika,
Take from the breast the hated star,
Take from the heart the hate and fear,
And give instead a hug, a tear.
White poppies, not red,
Flowers without the blood.
