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Although photographing gorgeous children and fun-filled families is one of my all time most favourite things to do, I am still only doing it part time for now and during the week I work part time at a School. Now I know this may not seem like great topic to write a blog post about, but I promise you it's going somewhere, so stick with me!
Sunday, 11th November 2018 will mark 100 years since the end of the First World War and people around the country are will be showing their thanks to those who fought and those who gave their lives in a multitude of ways. At the school I work at they have created a beautifully moving tribute in the form of a garden of Poppies. 5,660 poppies have been ‘planted’ in remembrance of all all the past pupils that fought in the war and of those. 1,163 of the poppies have been painted black to represent those who died in service.
When I heard that this was planned, I just thought it sounded like a nice gesture, but now that I have actually seen the installation, it is really quite special and moving. As I sat amongst the poppies today, snapping away with my camera, I could not help but feel a sense of gratitude as I realised that although those poppies in front of me seemed so many, they were a mere drop in the ocean compared to actual amount of all those who bravely fought and died for us.
So all that I have left to say, is best said in the words by Laurence Binyon, an English poet who was so overwhelmed by the carnage and loss of life by British and Allied forces in World War 1 that he wrote one the most moving tributes:
ODE OF REMEMBRANCE
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal, Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation, And a glory that shines upon her tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables at home; They have no lot in our labour of the daytime; They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known, As the stars are known to the night.
As the stars will be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.
Here are some of the photo's I captured of the Poppies at the school. I hope you will agree that they are indeed a beautiful tribute to all of our fallen heroes.
