ART BY KATHY BOECHER – POETRY BY JOHN MCRAE (1872-1918)

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 beautiful poem, written by John McCrae, declares the need for us to remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in defense of their country. The poppy itself is a flower that grew in abundance wildly across the field of Flanders where many lives were lost during the first World War.  The imagery of red flowers growing amongst bloodied soldiers is not only a vivid reminder of the cost of war, but the bravery exhibited during battle.

The opiate effects of the drug extracted from this flower, denote sleep – a numbing that overtakes the mind in the face of the enemy – but no amount of numbing can take away the memories these warriors face on a daily basis.  The scars of war are often more invisible and internal than physical. The blood red color also is a reminder of the cost of military engagement.  More precious than any accolades delivered later.

The poem was written after World War One on May 3, 1915. John McCrae was a poet and physician. His words depict a field of blooming poppies as the backdrop for a field of battle where many young soldiers’ shed blood that mingled with the beautiful flowers. Let us never forget how they followed Christ’s example of laying down their lives for their friends.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR SHOWING US THE GREATEST KIND OF LOVE.