Tuesday, November 11, 2008

poppies


Ever since Canadian Army doctor, Col. John McCrae wrote "In Flanders Fields" during WWI poppies have been used as a symbol of remembrance for veterans. 
 
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
Scares 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.


Today is Veteran's Day.  

2 comments:

Steven said...

While growing up in Glyfada, a suburb of Athens, I remember being surrounded by fields full of red spring poppies. Perhaps Veterans' day would be better in the spring.

abigail said...

veterans day is the same day as armistice day. 11am on November 11 World War I ended. I guess later they merged the two days.
I think Icelandic poppies rebloom in the fall. but maybe not the ones in Belgium.