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.
Lt. Colonel John McCrae 03 May 1915
Very evocative...... especially in 2020 when so much of our freedoms are being stripped away from us under the excuse of Covid, especially here in the UK and Europe. I am not sure of the USA, but no doubt there are freedoms being stripped away from you folk as well.
ReplyDeleteVera - Yes, it certainly feels like it is happening here as well. "Only for the duration of the emergency" or some such. That said, I am not holding my breath that such things will be restored. Freedoms, once lost, scarcely bloom again.
DeleteI've always enjoyed that poem.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of my favorites Ed. Up there with "Loveliest of Trees" by A.E Housman.
DeleteThey shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
ReplyDeleteAge shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. (from a poem by Laurence Binyon)
Thank you Debby! I had completely forgotten that quote.
Delete