Of Quilts and Poppies

Written by Army Veteran and volunteer, Lisa R

I am an Aussie Hero quilter; I make quilts to give away

to our soldiers, sailors and airmen who keep Australians safe each
day

This gifted quilt that I create is sewn with love and care

I hope it makes their time away from loved ones somewhat easier to
bear

You might think my contribution’s small in the scheme of bigger
things

but I know the joy and comfort that my snuggly quilt still brings

to Defence personnel keeping piquet for us out there somewhere in
the world

I hope they feel the love draped on their shoulders as the gifted
quilt’s unfurled

The team at Aussie Hero Quilts email out a lengthy weekly list

of quilt and laundry bag requests; sewers all around assist

to pop in the post the type of quilt they’ve asked for on that
paper

Each quilter matches theme to thread- its loads of fun to be the
maker

And when we receive a thank-you note on Tuesday’s email Grati List

It makes the sewing most worthwhile and gives our thankful heart a
lift

To see photos of our quilts draped on beds out there somewhere on
deployment

Or massed on tanks or planes or ships gives us heaps of pure
enjoyment

But it’s not just quilters in our midst who toil by heart and hand

There’s other crafters out there too; their contribution’s grand

Some only sew up laundry bags while others just sew squares

They mail to other quilting groups who piece patchwork with great flare 

Others knit and crochet flowers to signify death in war was not in
vain

Their red wool poppies never die and always will remain

To remind us that the blood shed for our liberty down on Flanders
Field

A few callouses on our fingers is hardly payment for their yield

So join the crafters as we support defence personnel right round
the globe

If you crochet, knit or sew you can’t walk a better road

Put your fabric stash to use; get out that wool or make a fine
creation

 Of a laundry bag, quilt or
poppy to thank the troops who serve our nation