Why we wear poppies
The remembrance poppy was inspired by the World War I poem "In FlandersFields". Its opening lines refer to the many poppies that were the first flowers to grow in the churned-up earth of soldiers' graves in Flanders, a region of Europe that overlies a part of Belgium.
When I was a child, paper poppies were commonplace on people's lapels on Armistice Day, now referred to in the United States as Veterans Day. I saw no-one wearing this commerative flower anywhere I went in the city today so I decided to post my photo to honor all servicemen and women who have served in the military, anywhere in the world.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Another poetic commentary stressing the truth that war is hell and at some point the people of the world must stop their leaders from their inclinations to solve problems through violence.
ReplyDeleteI remember everyone used to wear a poppy back in the day. What happened to change that?
I love that poem....as sad as it is.
ReplyDeleteThat's odd Kate.. I wore my red poppy all day yesterday along with many others here in Perth. Hope you are getting out and about without too much knee discomfort these days ✨
ReplyDeleteYou have posted the perfect photo to honor those who have served our country. I remember those paper poppies also. We use to get one by donating to Veterans who were collecting money for the cause.
ReplyDeleteI think a majority of people have been wearing poppies here in Canada for the last week or so. Every person on local TV news shows etc has been wearing a poppy.
ReplyDeleteMany, many people here wear poppies through the days leading up to November 11th.
ReplyDeleteI've seen more references to poppies on Canadian blogs. I wonder if Canadians and Brits have kept this tradition better than we have in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea, thanks! I love poppies.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful and moving poem.