Memorial Day: In Flanders Fields

For today, Memorial Day, my post will be nothing more than a poem, the same poem I’ll read later today on the National Mall. I didn’t write it. John McRae did in 1915.

Please read it. Even if you’ve read it before. It captures better than any words I know the spirit of Memorial Day.

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.

 

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.