Poppies

I wore a white poppy this year – given me by my friend Davina. At the green heart of the paper bloom, it says PEACE.

It is an anti-war, pacifist poppy.

But isn’t that disrespectful to the many thousands who gave their lives for this country in the First and Second World Wars and more recent conflicts? 

I don’t think so.  For me, remembering those who died makes it even more imperative there should be no more wars.  No more husbands, sons and brothers, no more wives, daughters and sisters should be lost. I suspect very few of the casualties, if able to have their say now, would clamour for more war.

When we walk on Coombe Hill in the Chilterns, we pass a memorial from the Boer War (pictured above), a conflict in South Africa where the British as a colonial power tried to oust the Dutch, their rivals. This is not a glorious moment in our history and is little talked of today, but even those Boer War soldiers died for their country in what they believed was a good cause and should be respected accordingly.

If the red poppy symbolises remembrance, then maybe the white poppy represents learning from our mistakes.  Maybe next year I shall wear both together.