Poppy: In Memoriam

The Poppy (Papaver somniferum) is in bloom, and it's a spectacular flower.

Poppies have long been used as a symbol of both sleep and death: sleep because of the opium extracted from them (think "Poppies!" from "The Wizard of Oz,") and death because of their commonly blood-red color.

The poppy of wartime remembrance is the red corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas.) This poppy is a common weed in Europe and was one of the only plants that grew on the battlefield. It thrives in disturbed soil, which was abundant on the battlefield due to intensive shelling. During the few weeks the plant blossomed, the battlefield was coloured blood red, not just from the red flower that grew in great numbers but also from the actual blood of the dead soldiers that lay scattered and untended to on the otherwise barren battlegrounds. They were an inspiration to the poem, "In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

This is why Veteran's groups sell paper poppies on November 11. It is truly a fitting remembrance.

A group in San Francisco is hoping to find a fitting memorial and legacy for our current leader:

"As we near the end of George W Bush’s presidency, we think it is important to select a fitting monument to this president’s work. On matters ranging from foreign relations to fiscal and environmental stewardship, no other president in American history has accomplished so much in such a short time.

To honor George W Bush for his eight years of honorable public service, the Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco is sponsoring a ballot initiative this November.
It reads…

Should The City And County of San Francsico Rename The Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant the George W Bush Sewage Plant?

We believe this is an appropriate honor for a truly unique president. If you think so too, join this grassroots movement to rename this important and iconic landmark in his honor."

Could we rename the deep tunnel after "W?"