REMEMBER


Far as the straining eye could hope to see
Poppies!! Such delicate and filmy blooms!
A sea of red - just as the pulsing blood
That coursed the veins of soldiers, now in tombs.


They died heroically 
to keep our rights and freedoms;
The right to life, to liberty, security.
Their valiant deaths must never be in vain,
Though flawed and blemished our democracy.


Pay tribute to the ranks of soldiers brave
Whose acts, courageous, daring, bold,
Snuffed out their very breath!
Gone was their chance to love, grow old.


Their sacrifice none must forget - 
From seasoned saint to hopeful youth.
We still proclaim what's right, what's wrong.
We must not fear to speak God's truth.


For if we're silenced, then will God our Judge 
Call forth the stones to shout out loud.
Lord, for Your Kingdom too,
May we be willing to endure
And suffer taunts and jeers among the crowd.


Let us stand firm in faith and fortitude.
A sea of red flows from the Cross of Calvary;
For Christ's own blood was sacrificed
to save mankind and set the captive free!


He gives to us eternal life, security, true liberty! 
He is our God - was mortal man - He is our Friend!
The only Perfect One who died to save us all.
Come, let's REMEMBER all, 'til our life's very end.

Karin Ristau
copyright

5 comments:

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautifully said.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love your poem, Karin... You are SUCH a good writer. I have seen pictures of all of the Poppies.. SO SPECIAL... Let's never EVER forget!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Hootin Anni said...

Poignant, beautifully stated Karen

Hootin Anni said...

PS....Hi again Karin.
After you left me a comment [and your 555s] I wanted to stop by again and send along a wish to you...that your new year is filled will joy and happy times.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is breathtaking! And the poem is too. You are such a talented poet. The field of poppies reminds me of the one in The Wizard Of Oz. I haven't seen your blog for so long. Is it because you have stopped posting, or is my sidebar messing up? sometimes it will drop someone.