In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween 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.
by John McCrae 1915
No Words of my Own
Just my poppy offered up
for those gone before
for my freedoms
...
Lest we forget.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Katherine!
Loved the video.
Have a wonderful day!
X
Thanks Ron
ReplyDeleteI stood, one amongst many, down at the cenotaph this morning to pay my respects. I am so proud to be able to stand and offer my voice to my national anthem and my tears of gratitude to all those who have given me all the luxuries that I appreciate. God bless those that gave their lives so that I may have mine.
~Thank you~
smiles. thanks for the remembering k....
ReplyDeleteI owe a lot to many, whether I can name them or not. It is a debt not easy to repay, except with a "thank you"
ReplyDeletePeace to you Brian
Flanders Fields always brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteWe are free because others died -- that always blows me away. I know some would philosophize that even under tyranny we are free in our minds. But I think not. There are some who would like to see those different from them dead.
xoxo
Oh, and you are so sweet to keep my button posted. You'll get another one day of course, when I start "recycling" you buddies. :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Me and my Cubs were in the Remembrance Day parade on Sunday. We marched to the cenotaph and sang O Canada, and God Save The Queen. We listened to a reading of this poem, which gives me chills every time I hear it, and to the bugler play Taps (which *always* makes me cry...always) and Revelry (which also makes me cry, but for different reasons). At the end, we marched past the vetrans and the leaders of Scouting are required to "eyes right" and salute. Such a moving, moving experience for me, as I've never actually been *part* of the service before.
ReplyDeleteI tried to explain a little of what Remembrance Day is to my girls. The older one had a few question (almost 5) and I read her this poem, plus played her some songs associated (last post and this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrkgV5bl7kQ as it is Canadian). I tried to convey the feelings as to why it is important, but my tears probably shared enough.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I don't have to give it back do I? Cus I like it! and I think I am going to keep it for awhile, as I like to imagine me sailing away.
That is an honour to have been able to do that Corrie. I would have been VERY hard pressed not to bawl the whole time. As it was, I stood with a steady stream of tears dripping off my chin listening to it all. I couldn't even see anything, as I was behind some bleachers, but just seeing all the people touched me deeply and made me incredibly proud to be Canadian and free.
ReplyDeleteI still know that poem verbatim. Lovely tribute, kkrige.
ReplyDeleteThank you Talon. I too know the poem well, but it always deserves more eyes to appreciate
ReplyDelete