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.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
This poem by Canadian poet John McCrae was published in 1915, in the midst of World War I. Although it was originally used as a recruiting tool, in recent years it has often been interpreted as an anti-war statement.
It's a beautiful poem.I think it has anti war sentiments.We studied it at school, but i mostly remember the poppies growing in Flanders field and in fact all across northern france.The Red poppy, symbolic of all the blood spilt in the mud and trenches.
ReplyDeleteThe British legion sells them prior to remembrance sunday every year.The veterans from the two world wars are dying out slowly, but there are still conflicts now where British and American blood is spilt daily almost.
Its amazing the connection in my head and heart between red poppies and the war poets, esp In Flanders Field.