Why wear a Poppy?

這是傑森在學校Remembrance Day儀式上, 和ESL班上四位同學一起朗誦這首紀念詩.傑森朗誦的是藍色的部分. 這首詩讓人感覺有一種平靜但深沉的悲傷.

"Why wear a Poppy?" "為什麼要配戴紅色罌粟花?"

"Please wear a Poppy", the lady said, 請佩戴一朵罌粟花, 這女士說著
And held one forth, but I shook my head, 手中拿著一朵花往前要給我, 但我搖搖頭
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there, 我停下來看著她　
And her face was old and lined with care; 她的面容滄桑卻帶著關懷
But beneath the scars the years had made 在這些年歲的刻痕之下
There remained a smile that refused to fade. 她卻保持著不願褪色的微笑
--
A boy came whistling down the street. 一個男孩吹著口哨從街上走來
Bouncing along on care-free feet. 自由雙腳一路跳躍著
His smile was full of joy and fun, 他的微笑充滿歡欣和快樂
"Lady" said he, "may I have one?" "女士", 他說: "可以給我一朵嗎?
"When she'd pinned it on, he turned to say: 當女士幫他配戴罌粟花的時候, 他轉身問
"Why do we wear a Poppy to-day?" "為什麼我們今天要配戴紅色罌粟花?
"The lady smiled in her wistful way 這女士殷切的微笑著
And answered: "This is Remembrance Day", 並且回答: "今天是陣亡將士紀念日"
"And the Poppy there is a symbol for "而罌粟花是一個象徵"
The gallant men who died in the war". "象徵在戰場戰死的英勇將士"
"And because they did, you and I are free " "因為他們犧牲生命, 所以你和我可以自由的活著"
That's why we wear a Poppy you see". "這就是為什麼我們要配戴罌粟花"
--
I had a boy about your size, 我有一個孩子應該和你一般大
With golden hair and big blue eyes. 有著閃亮金髮和碧藍雙眼
"He loved to play and jump and shout. 他喜歡玩耍, 跳躍並快樂大叫
Free as a bird, he would race about.　自由的像隻小鳥
As the years went by, he learned and grew, 歲月流轉, 他學習並成長
And became a man-as you will, too". 並且成為一個像你長大以後一樣的男士

"He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile. 他長的健美強壯, 帶著孩子般的笑容
But he'd seemed with us such a little while 但是, 他和我們在一起的時間很短暫
When war broke out and he went away. 當戰爭開始, 他就離開了我們
--
I still remember his face that day. 我仍然記得他離開那天的面容
When he smiled at me and said good-bye. 當他微笑著向我說再見
I'll be back soon, Mum, so please don't cry" "媽媽, 我很快就會回來, 所以, 請您不要悲傷
"But the war went on and he had to stay, 但是, 戰爭持續進行, 而他必須待著
And all I could do was wait and pray. 而我所能做的只是等待與祈禱
"His letters told of the awful fight 他的來信告訴我那可怕的戰爭
(I can see it still in my dreams at night) 夜晚我仍然會在夢中看見
With the tanks and guns and the cruel barbed wire,　坦克, 槍枝和殘忍帶刺的鐵絲
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and the fire". 還有子彈, 炸彈和無盡的戰火"
Till at last, at last, the war was won - 直到最後最後, 戰爭終於打贏
And that's why we wear a Poppy, son". 孩子, 這就是為什麼我們要配戴罌粟花
--
The small boy turned as if to go. 　小男孩轉身正要離去
Then said: "Thanks, lady I'm glad to know. 突然說: 感謝您女士, 我很高興我知道"
That sure did sound like an awful fight. 那場可怕的戰爭
But your son - did he come back alright?" 但是, 您的兒子, 他回來了嗎?
A tear rolled down each faded cheek; 淚珠從女士的臉頰滑落
She shook her head, but didn't speak. 她搖搖頭, 但甚麼都沒說
--
I slunk away In a sort of shame. 我心中羞愧的跑開
And if you were me, you'd have done the same; 如果你們是我, 可能也會和我一樣
For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed, 因為我們的感謝與付出, 常常再三推託
Though our freedom was bought - and thousands paid; 雖然我們現在自由了, 但是數以千計的人卻付出了代價
And so, when we see a Poppy worn, 所以, 當我們看到配戴的罌粟花
Let us reflect on the burden borne 讓我們記住這背後深刻的教訓與負擔
By those who gave their very all 那些付出一切的人
When asked to answer their country's call 當國家徵召, 他們起身回應
That we at home in peace might live. -而讓我們, 可以在家鄉安居樂業著
Then wear a Poppy! Remember - and give! 所以, 請佩戴一朵罌粟花, 紀念並付出.