Most garden plants are dying back now, but it wasn't difficult for me to think of a flower that signifies November, especially having had a recent trip to the Tower of London to see 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' display, which marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Of course, I'm thinking about the poppy.
I'm thinking of ceramic poppies too and this breathtaking display that has now more or less filled the moat at the Tower of London. It is both spectacular and moving. While we were visiting it was the half term school holidays and whilst it was extremely busy it was especially emotional to see parents and grandparents with their children talking and explaining about the First World War. I expect it will be always something they will remember and help them in remembering our heroes of war. I know I will.
It is reported that nearly four million people have visited the Tower of London to see the poppies and it has been so popular that there are demands to extend the display beyond Armistice Day, after which the poppies will be dismantled to be forwarded on to the thousands of people who have purchased them. It is hoped that excess of fifteen million will be raised for charity.
The installation of the poppies began in August and has evolved each week, with the final poppy being added on the 11th November. By this time there will be 888,246 poppies filling the moat to represent each and every one of those soldiers, who gave everything to bring us peace. It has drawn unprecedented crowds to the Tower of London.
The ode of remembrance is taken from the poem 'For the Fallen' by Binyan and the phrase 'Lest we forget' is often added as a final line. I think the poppies at the tower have become a very poignant reminder of the men who have served our country in the great war and from the crowds that have gathered they are certainly not forgotten.
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