Remembrance

By skinner_jennifer

Tue, 07 Jul 2020
  • 1370 reads
11 comments
 

Just a patch of poppies

grow beneath greying sky,

pathos of life ebbing

in the final battle cry,

 

gentle flowers mark fragile life

when from trenches men scattered,

rain drops clinging to petals

like those tears of dying soldiers,

 

those scarlet heads gaze

at earth and clouds above,

toss in breeze as if

they wave a sad farewell of loss,

 

where flesh perished while blood flowed,

and families grieved

to those that lost their lives

so many years ago.

pixabay free image.

Certificate PG
Poem
Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by onemorething on

A lovely poem. It's a good thought that Remembrance is so tied to the poppy, you can't see one and not remember what they represent. I like how you've interpreted their movement in this too. Rachel :)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

They are such delicate beautiful petals aren't they? And this is delicately written.

And when you see a field or hillside covered, it is a reminder of the great numbers who lost their lives in wars. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Reading your poem I found Flanders field by John Mccrea comes to mind: In flanders field the poppies blow-Between the crosses row by row

Poems in tribute to those who've sacrificed so much for country or belief is always so humbling - Your poem is beautifully written and evocative of these feelings-

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much for your kind words Rachel. When I was out on my walk up on the Ridge Way, we saw many poppies which is how I came to write this poem. So I suppose we were both inspired by our walks.

I appreciate your comment and thanks again.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Gothicman,

this poem wasn't revived, it was just inspired by the many poppies I saw on a walk on Monday up on our Ridge Way. It was such a perfect day, not too hot and not cold. Everyone we passed seemed happy and smiled saying hello, it's always nice to see smiling faces.

I just figured why wait till November to think of those who lost their lives, when it's something we should keep in mind all year round.

Those lives will never be forgotton. Many thanks for reading and letting me know your thoughts, it's always good to hear others impressions.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Rhiannon,

you know I wish I could take photos when out on walks like you do, but I don't own a camara anymore, or a mobile phone, so I can't really capture the beauty of these delicate flowers. But like you say, when I see these fragile petals, they always remind me of those men who lost their lives in order to give us freedom and that's a special gift.

It's lovely to get your comment and thank you so much for reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Penny,

that first world war was such a terrible war, I can't imagine how awful it must have been, and those poor families that were left behind to keep going is unimaginable. There must have been many heroes that never even got a mention, who died on the battle field and never even had a proper buriel.

So many poems have been written on this war, like you say many of them have been humbling. I haven't ever read the poem Flanders Field by John Mccrea, it's one I'll have to look up.

Many thanks for reading and your kind words were encouraging to which I'm very grateful.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by celticman on

poppies bleed, once a weed, now an icon. sad Jenny, sad. 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack,

like you say this beautiful flower, once a weed or even part of a meadow mix, now stands alone as a very sad memory.

Many thanks for your kind thoughts and for reading.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Hades502 on

I really like the imagery here. You made a lot of great word choices and it's easy to see the connection that you went for.

GGHades502

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for your kind words GGHades502. I'm happy the poem worked for you.

Jenny.