During today’s group discussion on Isaac Rosenberg’s poem “Break of Day in the Trenches,” a question was posed about the significance of the poppy flower. In modern times, the poppy is seen as a tribute and respectful gesture to honor war veterans. It first began in the 1920s, after WWI came to an end. People would pin the flower to their lapels or tuck them in their breast pockets to display their bright color. They were also placed on the graves of deceased soldiers, often by family and comrades who were paying their respects. Poppy flowers are a symbol of remembrance for those that fought and sacrificed for the freedom that we have today. They are a representation of solace, remembrance, and eternal sleep.

When our small group asked Dr. Scanlon about the poppies within the poem, she mentioned a beautiful sight in London, England that we might explore. The Tower of London has created an honorific display of poppies in homage to the soldiers of The Great War. It commemorates their bravery and loss through an extravagant arrangement of ceramic poppy flowers. Hundreds of hours and thousands of flowers were utilized to produce this masterpiece. I think that it is not only gorgeous to look at, but remarkable for its significance. The reason for its creation and the labor put into this display was well-thought-out.

If you would like to learn more about The Tower of London Remembers, here is a link to their website:

https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/tower-of-london-remembers/#gs.v28sdd