Poppies Flashcards
Who wrote the poem Poppies?
Jane Weir
Summary of Poppies.
A mother recalls caring for her son reminiscing about before it is revealed that he is no longer there and it is implied that he died in conflict.
Poppies:
“. . . days before . . . sunday”
“three days before armistice sunday”
“three days before armistice sunday”
- establishes the theme of remembrance
- victims of sacrifice
- cyclical ends on remembrance
Poppies:
“without a . . . coat or . . . of scarf, . . . ”
“without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves”
“without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves”
- domestic imagery paired with military metaphors
- lack of protection
- she needs reinforcements to see the memorial of her son
Poppies:
“. . . my nose across the . . . of your . . . ”
“graze my nose across the tip of your nose”
“graze my nose across the tip of your nose”
- maternal affection is juxtaposed against injury-like connotations
Poppies:
“I was . . . ”
“I was brave”
“I was brave”
- emotional suffering opposed to physical pain
- unconventional bravery
Poppies:
“all my words . . . , rolled, turned into . . . // slowly . . . ”
“all my words flattened, rolled, turned into felt // slowly melting”
“all my words flattened, rolled, turned into felt // slowly melting”
- enjambment - emotionally breaking
- assaulted by painful fragmented memories
What is the structure of the poem Poppies?
- free verse - outpouring emotions
- cyclical - son is participating in remembrance to being remembered
What other poems link to Poppies?
- Kamikaze
- Exposure
- Remains
