(no subject)

[essayel]

Yesterday was 11th Novemeber - you all know that. Today, in the UK at least, is Remembrance Sunday. I've read all the poetry on my flist, looked at the pictures of poppies, am listening to 'the Cenotaph' on Radio 4. I saw my husband off this morning to walk up to the cairn above Pen Cerrig something or another to lay a wreath where a plane went down.

Remembering is what it's all about and I have my own particular memories of this day. Foremost amongst them of standing on a freezing cold morning with my little mittened hand tucked into the palm of a man who was at Gallipoli and trying to ignore the tears on his cheeks as Taps played. We both wore bright red poppies.

To the people who want the poppies white - no, just no. The poppies in Flanders were red like the blood spilled there. Like the blood spilled in every conflict since. And as for that thing about them not being 'Christian' enough, the whole point about poppies is that they can be worn by anyone. Doesn't matter who you are or what you believe, Catholic, Wiccan, Muslim, Hindu, Taoist, anyone can wear a poppy to show that they remember what happened and would really really like for it not to happen again.

Comments

[fuchsoid.livejournal.com]

When the wind is in the right direction, I can her the guns they fire to signal the two-minute silence, and I've just been stnding on the balcony of my flat listening. I'm not sure, but I seem to have seen more poppies (red) this year than last year.

I think white poppies rather miss the point - red poppies are not glorifying war, but keeping the memory of sacrifice alive. I can slightly see the point of wearing a white poppy (for peace) with a red one (for remembrance), but for me, the red poppy says all that on its own, anyway.

[casfic.livejournal.com]

I've never seen anyone wear a white poppy. But that whole 'white poppies are mover Christian' thing gave me a real wtf moment when I read it. It really misses the point.

[vivien]

Who wants them white???? That's a travesty.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Some church think tank has decided that wearing a red poppy means that one believes in 'redemption through violence' and the concept of 'a just war'.

I don't know about you but I thought it just meant I was remembering people like my grandpa, or the 3rd Monmouthsire Regiment who sent 1500 young men off to Flanders and got 80 back. I didn't know I was being philosophical!

[vivien]

*eyeroll*

Yes, because God made poppies red as a political statement. Go, war, go!

Whatever.

My poppies will stay red as will my honor and remembrance of veterans.

[(Anonymous)]

The white poppies are what one makes opium from... so they would be promoting illegal drugs rather than remembering the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month....



COmtnLady