The day was so beautiful that it took a while to drive from Robin's house to my parents' house in The Cotswold Hills.
It was St George's Day. As a lover of dragons I have never been a fan of St George. I drove a small detour to photograph the war memorial at Stanton. On the back, in dappled light, an inscription.
These men from what had been a small, close village died in France, Eygpt and Gallipoli. This is where pacifism becomes confused for me as I can only feel grateful that they died so that I can have the future that I have and yet I hate the folly of war. Sometimes, perhaps, there is no alternative.
In my father's garden the light shines through a beautiful red tulip.
I've always thought ANZAC Day should have a tulip instead of the Flanders poppy.
ReplyDeleteAnd Blogger seems to be "eating" comments again. The girls felt that the Ginger Darlings should have won the blog author award.
I know how you feel. It's Anzac Day here today, I always have mixed feelings about it. Just finished a very long post about it, I hope it makes sense to readers. I hate the folly of war too, and yet feel those who died believing they did so for a good and great cause should be remembered. We humans are so complicated.
ReplyDeleteHere in the US, there are so many cars around these days with "support our troops" stickers on them, and there have been folks with both "support our troops" and "end this war"... some say it is a contradiction... I ask, "What can be more supportive of our troops than ending a war?". Ugh, yes, it is so complicated. I heard the Dalai Lama speak once years ago. When asked about war, and if it was ever warranted, he said, "It depends on the outcome". So, there you have it... COMPLICATED!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I understand your conflicting emotions.
ReplyDeleteI joined the military during the cold war, when we thought our being there made a difference. I left at least partially because I can not agree with the current war. I think there are times when we need warriors, this is not one of them.
Kat
thank you for the lovely walk.Laurie
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kat. If there is a need for protecting ourselves and our loved ones, than I will become a woman warrior. But I can't support a war that is all about politics. Bring our troops home, that's the best support we can give them.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
Cenya
I just got round to reading this today and saw all of these comments. I feel so out of touch...what is ANZAC Day? Also the poppy is significant of the troops having died in the poppy fields,it's association with loss is what we shouldn't forget (but tulips are lovely "dinahmow"). Your photograph is bold and beautiful and poignant. I enjoyed reading this post.
ReplyDeleteANZAC day is for the Austrailian and New Zealand Armed forces, their remembrance day when they are honoured. So many died and were maimed, lives ruined at Gallipoli, and for not very much. White poppies for peace. I think the poppies blossomed on the ground where so many had died. They flourish in ground that is churned up, dug over. They seeded and spread across the earth that was ripped appart by bombs after the dead had fallen and the scars of battle were cleared away. This is why we have poppies. And they are beautiful and delicate and red, like lives, like blood.
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