IN FLANDERS FIELDS – Reviewed
John McCrae
Equality
I saw a King, who spent his life to weave
Into a nation all his great heart thought,
Unsatisfied until he should achieve
The grand ideal that his manhood sought;
Yet as he saw the end within his reach,
Death took the sceptre from his failing hand,
And all men said, “He gave his life to teach
The task of honour to a sordid land!”
Within his gates I saw, through all those years,
One at his humble toil with cheery face,
Whom (being dead) the children, half in tears,
Remembered oft, and missed him from his place.
If he be greater that his people blessed
Than he the children loved, God knoweth best.
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.
The Anxious Dead
O guns, fall silent till the dead men hear
Above their heads the legions pressing on:
(These fought their fight in time of bitter fear,
And died not knowing how the day had gone.)
O flashing muzzles, pause, and let them see
The coming dawn that streaks the sky afar;
Then let your mighty chorus witness be
To them, and Caesar, that we still make war.
Tell them, O guns, that we have heard their call,
That we have sworn, and will not turn aside,
That we will onward till we win or fall,
That we will keep the faith for which they died.
Bid them be patient, and some day, anon,
They shall feel earth enwrapt in silence deep;
Shall greet, in wonderment, the quiet dawn,
And in content may turn them to their sleep.
© by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes
You may find the complete collection preserved as a part of the Gutenberg project here.
These poems are a part of the collection IN FLANDERS FIELDS, and can be found on Goodreads here, with this review posted here.
Analysis
John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields is a brief but deeply impactful poetry collection that reflects the profound emotions and realities of World War I. Known primarily for its title poem, the collection explores themes of sacrifice, loss, remembrance, and the enduring spirit of those who fought in the war. McCrae’s work resonates because of its simplicity and directness, making the emotions feel immediate and raw.
The main theme of the collection is the cost of war, not only in lives lost but in the emotional weight carried by those left behind. In “In Flanders Fields,” McCrae uses the image of poppies growing among soldiers’ graves to symbolize both death and rebirth. The poem captures the tension between mourning the dead and honoring their legacy by continuing the fight. There’s a sense of urgency in the poem, as if the voices of the fallen are calling out, demanding not to be forgotten.
Another recurring theme is the connection between nature and war. McCrae often contrasts the peaceful beauty of the natural world with the violence of human conflict. In poems like “The Anxious Dead,” there’s a sense that the earth itself becomes a witness to the sacrifices made. This blending of nature with human struggle gives the poems a universal quality, making the themes feel timeless.
The structure of McCrae’s poems is straightforward and traditional, often using regular rhyme and meter. This formal structure adds to the gravity of the content, giving the poems a hymn-like quality. The rhythm and rhyme make the emotions more accessible, almost like they’re meant to be spoken aloud or remembered collectively.
The tone throughout the collection is a mix of solemnity, resolve, and hope. While the poems reflect on death and loss, there’s also an underlying sense of duty and purpose. McCrae writes as both a mourner and a soldier, someone deeply affected by what he’s seen but determined to give meaning to the sacrifices made. This dual perspective gives the collection a unique voice—personal yet representative of a larger collective experience.
What stands out in McCrae’s work is its ability to balance simplicity and depth. The language is clear and unadorned, but the emotions run deep. He doesn’t try to intellectualize war or disguise its pain; instead, he presents it plainly, letting the weight of the words speak for itself.
In Flanders Fields is a powerful reflection on war and its consequences. McCrae’s poems honor the fallen while challenging the living to carry forward their memory and purpose. The collection’s brevity only adds to its impact, leaving readers with images and emotions that linger long after the final line.
Photo by Quaritsch Photography on Unsplash
