Regarding Poppies

Psalm 90 / LXX 89 is attributed to Moses, and it addresses humanity’s mortality, but that of all creatures as well:

You sweep men away; they are life a dream, like grass which is renewed in the morning:  in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers (Psalm 90/89:  5 – 6).

On my property we have quite a variety of trees, fruit trees, flowering bushes and fruit-bearing bushes, and flowers.  My wife and I observe them as we and they go through the seasons of each year.  Of course throughout the spring they are renewed and flourish with blossoms, but then they fade and fall away to the ground.  Of this process of nature, none seems more dramatic than that of the poppy.

Poppies are of the botanical Papaveraceae family.  They are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in varied climates and terrains.  This flower is full of symbolic significance.  The symbolism, or meaning, attached to the poppy varies according to its color.  The more famous red poppy is taken to signify remembrance, sacrifice, and honor — especially of those who died in battle.  But, other colors bring other meanings to the flower.

In one of our garden areas we have orange poppies which are associated with enthusiasm, creativity, and vitality.  Their striking, bold color and size grab my attention, and almost every year I photograph their beauty.  Then the brilliant, beautiful petals fall  to the ground quite quickly, seemingly overnight.  Their petals fall to the ground with only their seed pods remaining on the stems while their petals begin to decompose.  Their vibrant orange color, again, represents enthusiasm, creativity, and vitality.  The poppies’ brief span of vitality reminds me of how brief our lives’ enthusiasm, creativity, and vitality can be.

I turn again to Psalm 90/89:

…Our years come to an end like a sigh.  The years of our life are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away (vv 9 – 10).

Nearer its beginning this Psalm offers these sobering words:

You turn man back to the dust, and say, “Turn back, O children of men!”  For a thousand your in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night (vv 3 – 4).

Our short lives have their seasons.  The enthusiasm, creativity, and vitality of youth change as we age:  They mature and, hopefully, age well like wine.  This will occur if we walk in the ways of Christ and mature in him, and as we cultivate our relational union in him.  We are to abide by faith and sacrament in Christ while we also abide in his Church.  Thus, as move through the seasons of life with him, I believe these words of David can assist us if we take them into our hearts and make them into a prayer:

Behold, you desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart…Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit (Psalm 51/50: 6, 10 – 12).

So, keep the poppy in mind (and our fate as well) as we read this:  “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90/89:  12).

In Christ,

Fr Irenaeus