Remembrance in Fall - A Poem

my entry into the 2017 Legion Youth Remembrance Contest

Remembrance in Fall - Wei Xie

On a beautiful clear October day

A happy noon stroll brings to my eyes

A splash of leaves

In their autumn palette of infinite colours

The beautiful laughter of children brings a smile to my face

Every child of every background

Playing together without discrimination

But I know

The dark side of this country

That lies deep in its history.

Where humble heroes of my descent lay

Of those like the 150 young men and women

Who bravely volunteered to enroll in Force 136

Who stepped into enemy territories of Canada

Knowing well death would force a silent goodbye

An early farewell to their loved ones

And an inevitable end serving as their sacrifice

Yet who summoned their greatest effort and courage

Despite the constant discrimination of fellow Canadians

Now, I deliver these humble heroes

The melodies of my violin

As the piece concludes

My retinas cover in undefinable beauty

Every leaf is a unique person

Of every colour accepted

Only in Canada can such diversity thrive

Shaped by such a short but plentiful history

A history filled with improvement

Only possible because of those of my descent

Who served this country like it was theirs

For this Canada I love