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Gems 6.80

Photo 1: 

“Land of the free because of the brave.” -Unknown

Photo 2

The photo was taken on Tuesday, 4 November 2014 at the Tower of London of the “Bloodswept Lands and Seas of Red” display to commemorate the 100th year since the outbreak of World War I.  It was taken by my friend Jo Milton, one of our first contributing photographers under the name Nothingtosee Movealongnow.  This was used in Gems 1.63 for Remembrance Day.

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.

-John McCrae

I chose the poem In Flanders Field by John McCrae because of what I learned about poppy symbolism.

“It is one of the most quoted poems…written during the First World War by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of a friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. Its references to the red poppies that grew over the graves of fallen soldiers resulted in the remembrance poppy becoming one of the world’s most recognized memorial symbols for soldiers who have died in conflict. The poem and poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where “In Flanders Fields” is one of the nation’s best-known literary works. The poem is also widely known in the United States, where it is associated with Veterans Day and Memorial Day.” (Wikipedia)

“When you don’t know what to do, do nothing. Get quiet so you can hear the still, small voice.” -Oprah Winfrey

Gems 6.82

“Never let the noise of the world overpower the still small voice.” -L. Tom Perry

Gems 6.83

“Learn the richness of solitude and quiet. That still small voice is yearning to be heard.” -Susan Jeffers

Gems 6.84

“The human voice can never reach the distance that is covered by the still small voice of conscience.” -Mahatma Gandhi