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.
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Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
Beautiful, Betsy.
Betsy, I’m speechless! Deeply moving. Thank you.
Davina´s last blog post..Akemi Gaines On Intuition, Dreams And Spiritual Guidance–Interview Part 2
Thank you ladies, I have loved this poem since I was a child. The story behind the link is so inspiring. I always wondered if I would see any benefit to all the memorizing my mother, the English teacher, made us do. Thanks again.
No matter how many times I read this, it always gives me goosebumps. I love it. Especially the line We are the Dead, and the second stanza.
Thanks for posting this.
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Hi Steph – one of my big regrets is that when my daughter and I were in France, we didn’t go to Normandy – not enough time. The rows of crosses are in the first image I get with this poem. I love it, too.
This is a wonderful poem, and to learn the meaning behind it makes it that much more beautiful. Thanks for sharing it Betsy…
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Hi Lance – it’s a classic for good reason! Thanks.
I learn more about the “classics” here than I did in 12 years of public schooling (and an additional 4 in college). THANKS!
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Great poem, I had to read it several times to really get a good understanding of it. It has a real bitter-sweet feel. Thanks.
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Hi Kathy – Glad to oblige!
Seriously, though, sometimes passing them along is the best way to keep them alive. When I was in school, I don’t think I appreciated them as much as I do now.
Hi Ross – Welcome! I get something different with every reading, too. Knowing the background is only part of the impact, I think. Thanks for coming by!
It has been far too long since I read or heard that poem, thank you. It always makes me think of our 6th grade teacher Mr. Bernard who was close to retirement age when he taught us. He had fought in WW2 and was an amazing man big bulldog of a man.
Every Friday afternoon for the last half hour he would play the organ and we’d all sing songs. I just got tears in my eyes now thinking about him.
I leave this commet in his honor today. He was a wonderful man and teacher . May he rest in peace.
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Oh, Jannie – I got tears in my eyes at your comment about your beloved teacher. My 11th grade history teacher was Mr. Damson. Imagine what we kids did with that name. He was older, too, and scary strict. But, boy, did I learn to love history in his class. He read this poem aloud and pounded into us what it meant. Thank you.
Hi Betsy. Ok, I’m a wee bit embarrassed now. I thought you took a classic and rewrote it. I’ve always been very familiar with the first 2 lines, but never really heard the entire poem. But, I still think you are capable of having written this
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Hi Davina – I am so sorry that the way I chose to format this post might have been responsible for your impression. I just couldn’t mess up this poem’s stark beauty by adding my own drivel. I struggled with what to do, figuring the link at the bottom would explain its provenance.
Thank you for the kind compliment, though. It would be amazing to have been able to scribble this on the back of an envelope next to a battlefield. I think the stories behind what is written are just as interesting as the work itself.