Sunday, November 11, 2007

Hush Poppies

We Shall Remember Them

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


The blood-red poppies are in full bloom at the Legacy Garden beside Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. But as the world stops to commemorate 11 November, there are synthetic poppies dotted across the lawn in the forecourt of the Shrine.

The photograph above says it all in terms of the symbolism I wanted to project on this solemn day. It shows one of the synthetic poppies framed by the tall columns of the Shrine's entrance. To me, the image is a combination of sacrifice and commemoration.

And the second photograph (below) is a perfect validation of how the first generation of the twenty-first century is determined to honour the memory of all those who defended their countries. The child's script on this poppy says: "Harry Clarke - my great-grandfather" and it is signed by Mitchell Clarke. It was such a poignant sight for me and I was lucky to be able to photograph it without stepping on the grass.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this, David. In my surfing today, I have been disappointed in how few bloggers have posted a Remembrance.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Archie,

I was brought up to acknowledge ... so I consider these posts a duty to those who laid down their lives.

Keep on eye on this blog for a post on a celebrated Anzac ...

Cheers

David

Lee said...

David, As a veteran, I want to "Thank You" for the lovely Remembrance. The Poppy picture is gorgeous. Veterans seem to run in my family. Granddad served in WWI and Dad in WWII & Korean War.

Even though I'm proud of my family's service, I ache for all those who have family members in the battle zones today. Maybe someday we will finally have...Peace!

i beati said...

poppy exquisite- memory priceless

Anonymous said...

Lest we forget.

Very timely. Thanks.

FHB said...

That's beautiful. The first time I was in Perth it turned out to be Anzac Day. Very moving.