{ 12 juillet 2005 }
one million poppies
to commemorate 60 years having past since the end of world war two, one million poppies were dropped from the sky over the mall at buckingham palace last sunday. the release of the poppies finished off a day full of celebrations, including a service at westminster abbey, veterans’ lunch at the palace, procession of veterans’ organizations, and fly past of vintage aircraft. it’s estimated that there were a quarter million people packed into the mall to witness the fly past.
it is believed that the tradition of wearing red poppies in remembrance of those who have died in battle came about after john mccrae, a canadian army physician, wrote the poem “in flanders fields” during world war one.
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.
posted at 01.36