I used this at the High School today for their remembrance assembly. There are a whole lot of other things we could add so please feel free to do so and be as controversial as you wish. What it is we are remembering on Sunday (whcih is possibly different from 11th of the 11th because the earlier and earlier people put on their poppies (even the BBC!) the more it becomes a nationalistic event where the wearing of the poppy is interpreted simply as showing pride in our boys and girls out there and something we ought to conform to. But that's not remembrance. Remembrance is rather about asking the questions we need to ask that provides some honesty about conflict. That's what the First World War poets sought. The presenter of Thought for the Day on Radio Four suggested this morning that we need to ask what do those we remember want to be remembered for?
What is the cost of wearing our poppy today?
well what is the cost of war
the cost of defence
the cost of believing in peace
that is the cost of a poppy
what is the cost of freedom
the cost of youth
the cost of giving yourself
that is the cost of a poppy
what is the cost learning lessons
the cost of justice
the cost of a football match
that is the cost of a poppy
and may we always be able to afford it
Recent Comments