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
Remember them, they all help us in times of war.
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:00:52
Glorious words, thoughts and images, Willow. Blessings to all people and animals who were lost. ❤️🙏
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:05:16
Thank you Jordy, I appreciate your support 💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:21:09
War tears apart all the lives it touches, whether they bear arms, or wait and watch at home. Remebrance should include them all. xx
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:27:20
Yes indeed Sue you put that so succinctly, how come I wrote a rambling post …😱💒💜💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:38:57
Sometimes you need all the words ❤ x
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:31:24
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.
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:38:13
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.💜💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:51:31
I’m hoping to be allowed to take a picture.
Nov 06, 2018 @ 15:53:36
I should think you could be 💓💓
Nov 06, 2018 @ 16:13:26
So poignant sis 💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 16:15:35
I feel very deeply about this 💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:06:47
Yes for sure
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:08:12
This is a cause I feel very strongly about.💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:19:19
Wise words
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:58:22
Thank you Sis 💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:17:07
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
Nov 06, 2018 @ 18:57:36
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 💜💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 20:30:35
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!
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:09:03
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.💜💜😁
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:09:56
I am sorry that silly smiling emoji was not meant to be there ! 💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 20:43:00
Lest we dare to forget. Remembering may stop anyone inflicting a third world war on this our precious earth. Nice post and poetry.
Nov 06, 2018 @ 20:59:19
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 💜💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:08:06
I put my remembrance poem on instagram this time. I fear this World can not recover from another World war.
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:11:42
I agree it could not recover from another world war. Hugs 💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:12:18
How can I find your Rememberance poem 💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 22:44:56
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:52:57
Ellen,that is just amazing. A truly Great post. I don’t have Instagram so I comment here. You poem really touches me .💜💜
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:58:31
Thank you. X
Nov 06, 2018 @ 21:59:44
Pleasure 💜
Nov 07, 2018 @ 03:46:06
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!
Nov 07, 2018 @ 05:27:59
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.💜💜
Nov 07, 2018 @ 06:16:09
Yes, Willow. One example is Charli’s hubby. Thank you for your poems! ❤
Nov 07, 2018 @ 07:07:59
💜💜
Nov 07, 2018 @ 17:29:50
❤ ❤
Nov 07, 2018 @ 21:27:27
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.
Nov 07, 2018 @ 21:39:16
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.💜💜💜💜
Nov 09, 2018 @ 01:21:11
Thank you for this post, Willow! A poignant reminder. ❤️❤️🥀🌼💮
Nov 09, 2018 @ 06:53:55
So many died in the war to end wars. Sadly war just sails on daily. ,💜
Nov 10, 2018 @ 20:04:20
Indeed….and so it shall continue as long as the greedy and power hungry come into power. Alas…. 💙💙
Nov 10, 2018 @ 21:54:35
Yes sadly that is true 💜
Nov 11, 2018 @ 05:37:41
💗🌺
Nov 11, 2018 @ 06:04:27
Alas indeed 💜