I do not want to upset anyone but as we draw near to Rememberance Day I just wanted to share my feelings on the poppies we wear.
There are more than one, these days, the red to remember the dead, the white for peace. To remember the conscientious objector. During WW1 and WW2 many thought these men were cowards. I do feel they were brave enough to stand up for their beliefs. Many were tried and shot for not taking up arms. Many spent the war as medics and stretcher bearers unarmed or in the mines.
What ever you think, the wars killed them irrespective of their principles. I respect the Red and the White.
The Red and the White.
Why
Argue
Both were brave
Each had their own
Principles to up
Hold. Neither less than bold.
One would carry a weapon
The other a stretcher, no gun
Both men died for their own held beliefs
They were both lost and that loss brought much grief.
———
Then there is the Purple Poppy in remembrance of all the animals who died in service during conflicts.
They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped
They carried messages and they got shot.
They search out the unexploded mines
They save lives a thousand times.
Spare a thought for the horse, pigeon, donkey dog and many more
Female, wife, full time mother and Grandmother. I am not as happy go lucky as I used to be but I am still bubbling along on simmer! I have three handsome sons all grown and flown.The youngest married with a beautiful wife and two sons of his own. Eleven years ago I was working, running a home, driving and socializing then bang in a split second all that was gone. I had an accident at home. I broke my back, not for the first time, I had broken it 10 years previously as well. Unfortunately this time I had broken it really badly and it was truly messed up so I had to have two operations. I was told before each operation that the outcome could mean I spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Still as some guy once wrote "I am still standing " yes "better than I ever was " not quite but with the help of a walking stick and as long as I do not stand or sit in one position for too long, I am still standing! Update I no longer use the walking stick . I had lots of friends before the accident but when things like this happen, you loose most of them. Their lives move on and mine stood still and so they left me behind ...I know that is just the way life is but it hurt and always will. Then I looked around and saw those who were still there for me, these friends are the roses in my garden they need to be tended well. They are the diamonds in the dust, I will of been married 50yrs plus this year . Pain and boredom are my enemies now, I have to find different ways to approach life, use my pain befriend it almost...yer right , well that is what they tell me at the pain clinic ROFLMAO ...... if only I could! I have found an outlet for my fears, frustrations and night terrors . I have started writing poetry if that name can be applied to my writing. I hope I do not come over as a moaning winger. I hope I am past all that. I also hope that you might see how the poetry is moving from very dark through the grey and
hopefully in to light ??
I need to update this a little here. I have worked very hard over the years since my accident, I go to the gym regularly, I have a Pilates class and a core class once a week . The guys at the gym and my Pilates teacher cajoled, teased, bullied and encouraged me to abandon my walking stick! :) My back is no longer straight it is C shaped because of the injury and I have lost two and a half inches in height but my Pilates and Core teachers have helped me to stand up as straight and as strongly as possible. Pain and depression are still hanging on my arm but I have weapons to use against them and if I say so myself I cope well.
I have made lots of new friends, real diamonds. I am also very grateful for all the support and help I have encountered here on Wordpress. Hugs and welcome to everyone who visits.
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43 thoughts on “The Red, the White and the Purple”
Glorious words, thoughts and images, Willow. Blessings to all people and animals who were lost. ❤️🙏
I didn’t know the significance of the purple poppies Willow. Thank you.
Hubby and I buy a red one every year, and attend the outdoor Remembrance Service. It’s even more speical this year being the centenary of the end of WW1. There is to be a picture painted in the sand on Sunday which will be washed away with the tide in remembrance of those who died, then everyone will come up to the Memorial in the High Street for the service.
We buy red poppies every year too and most years of late hubby marshals up at the Cenotaph in London. He is on security and directing those matching to their correct collums duties this year. I will attend our local town ceramony. I love the sound of your beach painting, and how it will be washed away by the tide.💜💜💜
Beautiful post, Willow! My girl and I watched War Horse again at the weekend and cried again – but I had no idea that the purple poppy had a significance for the animals. Respect should be shown for all those who died in and also those who lived through the war. I remember as a child being unable to understand why my Great Grandma hated the enemy so strongly….now I have some understanding of the horrors she lived through during 2 wars and the number of family and friends she lost. I hope that if she was still alive and able to see many of the young enemy soldiers that she would see they too were just young men sent out to fight for their country. I was so moved when I when visited the war graves in France and am with you in your strength of feeling, C x
Thank you Claire, I do feel very strongly about this. As you say everyone who fought in , lived through and died during the first and second world wars deserves respect and gratitude.
Whether or not they carried a weapon they defended our country. I am astounded how many were executed for refusing to fight. The poor animals who died terrible death. Young men who return from modern theatres of war mentally ill. Many end up homeless and destitute because they cannot cope… No one helps them. Sadly more are committing suicide. Sadly nothing has changed much since the Ist and 2nd wars…it was as bad for those that returned then. I must go on sorry.
Hubby is off to the Cenotaph in London he is a Marshall at the Rememberance Parade, doing security and directing the old chaps and chapesses to the right colums . I have never been brave enough to watch War Horse is it good. Sending hugs 💜💜💜
I had to learn the poem about the poppy fields when I was in grammar school. War touches everyone in different ways – maybe my family more than most because of my son. Humans are so bellicose. Thanks for reminding us about the purple poppies!
Thank you Noelle you are so right, human are bellicose and sadly they never learn. I am sorry to ask have you lost a son to conflict. I am so very sorry if you have. We are all touched by war. I pray one day there will be peace.💜💜😁
Thank you Ellen we must never forget, there has never been a time past or present nor I fear will their be in the future that there has not been a war somewhere. We must honour and remember those who sacrificed themselves for us and pray one day there will be world peace. Thank you 💜💜💜
Ellen,that is just amazing. A truly Great post. I don’t have Instagram so I comment here. You poem really touches me .💜💜
Thank you. X
Pleasure 💜
I get every emotional about this, Willow. My brother-in-law was in special force stationed in Iraq. When he retired and came home, his replacement got killed within a week. It was shocking to us. I was a rehabilitation counselor, one client fought in Vietnam War. He said every time he closed his eyes, he saw his buddy dead lying next to him. I know many war heroes, alive or gone. Your line “They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped” hit the nerves on my spine. I can’t imagine what it was like being in the midst of war.
Thank you for the post, Willow!
This is also a subject close to my heart so many terrible things have happened to people in war. The dead sacrifice their all the living often sacrifice what left of their lives reliving the horrors they have seen. The line ” They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped ” is in the second poem and refers to the horses and donkeys that were used for that job. Reading that poem again it could of been men too. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.💜💜
Yes, Willow. One example is Charli’s hubby. Thank you for your poems! ❤
💜💜
❤ ❤
Lovely, sincere post. My grandfather and his two brothers were sentenced to hard labour in the first world war because they were concientious objectors. Two of them were teenagers. My husband’s great-uncle was gassed in the trenches in the same war and died at the age of twenty. I feel the same way as you do about all three colours.
Thank you Jean for telling me this. Apart from me I think you are the first person to actually say ‘conscientious objectors’ …so many brave souls, human and non human wasted …and still it goes on, why? …God bless them all.💜💜💜💜
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Glorious words, thoughts and images, Willow. Blessings to all people and animals who were lost. ❤️🙏
Thank you Jordy, I appreciate your support 💜
War tears apart all the lives it touches, whether they bear arms, or wait and watch at home. Remebrance should include them all. xx
Yes indeed Sue you put that so succinctly, how come I wrote a rambling post …😱💒💜💜💜
Sometimes you need all the words ❤ x
I didn’t know the significance of the purple poppies Willow. Thank you.
Hubby and I buy a red one every year, and attend the outdoor Remembrance Service. It’s even more speical this year being the centenary of the end of WW1. There is to be a picture painted in the sand on Sunday which will be washed away with the tide in remembrance of those who died, then everyone will come up to the Memorial in the High Street for the service.
We buy red poppies every year too and most years of late hubby marshals up at the Cenotaph in London. He is on security and directing those matching to their correct collums duties this year. I will attend our local town ceramony. I love the sound of your beach painting, and how it will be washed away by the tide.💜💜💜
I’m hoping to be allowed to take a picture.
I should think you could be 💓💓
So poignant sis 💜
I feel very deeply about this 💜💜
Yes for sure
This is a cause I feel very strongly about.💜💜
Wise words
Thank you Sis 💜💜
Beautiful post, Willow! My girl and I watched War Horse again at the weekend and cried again – but I had no idea that the purple poppy had a significance for the animals. Respect should be shown for all those who died in and also those who lived through the war. I remember as a child being unable to understand why my Great Grandma hated the enemy so strongly….now I have some understanding of the horrors she lived through during 2 wars and the number of family and friends she lost. I hope that if she was still alive and able to see many of the young enemy soldiers that she would see they too were just young men sent out to fight for their country. I was so moved when I when visited the war graves in France and am with you in your strength of feeling, C x
Thank you Claire, I do feel very strongly about this. As you say everyone who fought in , lived through and died during the first and second world wars deserves respect and gratitude.
Whether or not they carried a weapon they defended our country. I am astounded how many were executed for refusing to fight. The poor animals who died terrible death. Young men who return from modern theatres of war mentally ill. Many end up homeless and destitute because they cannot cope… No one helps them. Sadly more are committing suicide. Sadly nothing has changed much since the Ist and 2nd wars…it was as bad for those that returned then. I must go on sorry.
Hubby is off to the Cenotaph in London he is a Marshall at the Rememberance Parade, doing security and directing the old chaps and chapesses to the right colums . I have never been brave enough to watch War Horse is it good. Sending hugs 💜💜💜
I had to learn the poem about the poppy fields when I was in grammar school. War touches everyone in different ways – maybe my family more than most because of my son. Humans are so bellicose. Thanks for reminding us about the purple poppies!
Thank you Noelle you are so right, human are bellicose and sadly they never learn. I am sorry to ask have you lost a son to conflict. I am so very sorry if you have. We are all touched by war. I pray one day there will be peace.💜💜😁
I am sorry that silly smiling emoji was not meant to be there ! 💜💜
Lest we dare to forget. Remembering may stop anyone inflicting a third world war on this our precious earth. Nice post and poetry.
Thank you Ellen we must never forget, there has never been a time past or present nor I fear will their be in the future that there has not been a war somewhere. We must honour and remember those who sacrificed themselves for us and pray one day there will be world peace. Thank you 💜💜💜
I put my remembrance poem on instagram this time. I fear this World can not recover from another World war.
I agree it could not recover from another world war. Hugs 💜
How can I find your Rememberance poem 💜
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2UKYmljxa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Ellen,that is just amazing. A truly Great post. I don’t have Instagram so I comment here. You poem really touches me .💜💜
Thank you. X
Pleasure 💜
I get every emotional about this, Willow. My brother-in-law was in special force stationed in Iraq. When he retired and came home, his replacement got killed within a week. It was shocking to us. I was a rehabilitation counselor, one client fought in Vietnam War. He said every time he closed his eyes, he saw his buddy dead lying next to him. I know many war heroes, alive or gone. Your line “They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped” hit the nerves on my spine. I can’t imagine what it was like being in the midst of war.
Thank you for the post, Willow!
This is also a subject close to my heart so many terrible things have happened to people in war. The dead sacrifice their all the living often sacrifice what left of their lives reliving the horrors they have seen. The line ” They pulled the gun carriages until they dropped ” is in the second poem and refers to the horses and donkeys that were used for that job. Reading that poem again it could of been men too. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.💜💜
Yes, Willow. One example is Charli’s hubby. Thank you for your poems! ❤
💜💜
❤ ❤
Lovely, sincere post. My grandfather and his two brothers were sentenced to hard labour in the first world war because they were concientious objectors. Two of them were teenagers. My husband’s great-uncle was gassed in the trenches in the same war and died at the age of twenty. I feel the same way as you do about all three colours.
Thank you Jean for telling me this. Apart from me I think you are the first person to actually say ‘conscientious objectors’ …so many brave souls, human and non human wasted …and still it goes on, why? …God bless them all.💜💜💜💜
Thank you for this post, Willow! A poignant reminder. ❤️❤️🥀🌼💮
So many died in the war to end wars. Sadly war just sails on daily. ,💜
Indeed….and so it shall continue as long as the greedy and power hungry come into power. Alas…. 💙💙
Yes sadly that is true 💜
💗🌺
Alas indeed 💜