THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE ALL TAKEN THROUGHOUT THE DAY OF 9 JUNE 2014
EXACTLY 5 MONTHS AGO TODAY.
A notably extreme day of weather.
6.00am The skies had opened.
Previously triumphant blooms had been utterly battered at dawn.
With strong, very still stems remaining, entrenchment becomes a permanent memory, a dutiful fulfillment beyond life.
TODAY 11.40AM AFTER THE CENOTAPH SERVICE, LONDON
Whilst the British Legion play traditional songs for the proud to march along The Strand, London, the sun has just broken through the clouds. The music has created an uplifted spirit with singing in the Cenotaph crowds. Just like today, the sun on pushed its way through the clouds on June 9 morning.
The light of day is indeed illuminating. Some poppies managed to withstand the thundery blasts and angry torrents from 8 hours before. They would be fresh to see another day. When the sun shines, hope can fill the air, sadness dissolves, the past is past, and life goes on. but with the callous brutalities of war, perhaps time and sunshine doesn’t always heal. In a simple garden, for poppies on the soil, on this June 9 morning, there were three no-choice scenarios for those left standing:
1. For some, previously bright individuals, now worse for wear, unavoidably exposed to Nature’s wrath, it would be a brave onward struggle to unfurl damaged petals with a brave face. 2. Others, whilst exhausted from the weathering, by pure chance of their position, remained physically intact. They would continue to stand together, at least until Nature determined the next event.
3. For those with recognisable and handsome, bright and youthful looks intact, the sun would warm with a homely security. Warmth which would offer a short, carefree respite from the past terror of the night and an uncertain day. Even poppies can dream. Within each standing poppies’ eyelids, the luxury of taking moments to dream of past Spring days with echoes of birdsong was heaven sent. Birds are silent in storms. No other moment would ever be as warm and soothing and mild as these brief hours of sunshine, even in the sticky wet soil.
A few hours in uncertainty can create a very swift maturity. What was to be gained from all these new experiences would be the new and valuable knowledge for survival. Even the heaviness of fallen cold rain which had tormented and shredded fragile petals, would now be seen as refreshing dew in the light of day.
© 2014 La Floralie
la floralie 
