They shall not grow 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 shall remember them.
LEST WE FORGET.
Today is ANZAC day here in Australia - a day when we come out in force to remember and be thankful for those men and women from Australia and New Zealand who 'served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations'. Originally Anzac Day was a day to honour the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during WW1. The attack lasted eight months and over 56,000 Allies died.
This book is rather soft and poignant - quite a contrast to my book last week. Once again I have used and re worked a page from my 'Pieces for Peace 14-18' book which was exhibited in Brussels. These covers were made from poppies I cut out from another print and they are encased in transparent film to protect the 'fallen poppies'.
did you read Richard Flanagan's National Press Club address in The Guardian? here's the link-
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/18/richard-flanagan-national-press-club-speech-full-politics-black-comedy
Thanks Mo - you are always so generous with your sharing.
DeleteHi Susan! Although my brother has lived in Australia for almost 30 years I had not realized how big a deal it was until this year when he asked to have the best of our late father's WW2 medals sent to him to wear on the holiday. Apparently wearing your dad's medals is a point of great pride (wonder why he didn't do this years ago?). I hope you all had a good holiday.
ReplyDeleteLove your poppies and your book-a-week.
Yes a big deal over here. As it should be. I feel it a great deal more since having had my son in Afghanistan for nine months. He served as an officer in the combat engineers. It is wonderful that your brother could march wearing medals.
DeleteThat was a great address by Flanagan - I kept it too! I think the softness of the poppies feels like reflection time, going inwards and pondering upon the dreadful waste and all of the losses. A beautiful, precious book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona. I am so pleased you understood and ‘got’ this book. So many deaths. Such a waste. So much sadness.
DeletePoignant is just the right word here. It immediately touches the heart. Collective grief. Sometimes we need to be reminded of its presence, to give it its due.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dianne. Collective grief yes - and Anzac Day is a timely reminder of that sacrifice.
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