DECORATION DAY 1919 POEM

DECORATION DAY

1919

A FIELD IN FRANCE

Nay, to Violets not for this grassy field.

Nor here do daisy's shield,

A richer blossom burgeons here

Whose shinning petals shall appear

A fitting emblem of the dead,

And of that precious blood the shed

In Freedoms sacred name.

Grieve not mothers that you need not bring

To the graves of your love, the flowers of spring.

For here the poppies splendid red

Shall wave above each soldiers bed,

A host of scarlet flags that fly

With every wind that wanders by,

And when the petals fall

And wrap graves in satin pall

Another boon the poppies keep

The treasure of a dreamless sleep.

From the sacred torch the flame may die

From vanished hand s once carried high

No broken faith can stain the deed of these

Who sealed with death their creed.

For these the glory of the duty done

The laurel crown of victory won.

So bloom, fair fields of France, Today,

for the Mothers Heart's, so far away.

MABELLE H. PORTER

Abstract: Saturday, May 30, 1919, Baltimore Sun.