Monday's Poetry: "In Flanders Fields"

by Pa Rock
Veteran

"In Flanders Fields" was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician who was serving in the battlefields of Belgium during World War I. He penned the memorial poem in his notebook on 3 May 1915 after witnessing the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, age 22, the day before. "In Flanders Fields" was published in the British magazine, Punch, in December of that same year. It has gone on to become one of the best known traditional poems to honor the dead of war.

Now, almost a century later, young people are still fighting and dying because of the folly and greed of their elders. When will we ever learn?

In Flanders Fields

by LTC John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

Memorial Day Poetry Bonus:

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
by Pete Seeger

Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?

Indeed, when will we ever learn?