The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Thu 9/11/2008)

[RetroLounge]

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.

John McCrea

*****************

Canadian poet John McCrae was a medical officer in both the Boer War and World War I. A year into the latter war he published in Punch magazine, on December 8, 1915, the sole work by which he would be remembered. This poem commemorates the deaths of thousands of young men who died in Flanders during the grueling battles there. It created a great sensation, and was used widely as a recruiting tool, inspiring other young men to join the Army. Legend has it that he was inspired by seeing the blood-red poppies blooming in the fields where many friends had died. In 1918 McCrae died at the age of 46, in the way most men died during that war, not from a bullet or bomb, but from disease: pneumonia, in his case.

*****************

:patriot:

RL

[lost-in-nj]

1. ....

:cry:

thanks Retro......


:hug: :hi:


lost

[RetroLounge]

8. ...

:hi:

RL

[blueraven95]

2. I thought you were going to find a happier poem today...

I don't think this counts.

But it is beautiful...

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

9. I was too upset with Repugs turning 9/11 into their propaganda.

Nothing happy about what happened, or what's happened since.

but I will get a happy one soon, I promise.

:hi:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

10. Don't lie to her

You repel happy poems.

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

11. Oh!

You finally post in my thread, and you slag me for being a morose poem magnet?

:spank:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

12. I'm sure you'll live

:eyes:

[blueraven95]

18. I understand.

Actually, when I read the poem yesterday, it was still pretty early and my brain wasn't working yet, so I didn't put two and two together. In retrospect, it was the perfect choice.

[Haole Girl]

3. I'm glad you posted a poem about war

I'll never forget calling my father, the morning of 9/11, just after the second plane hit, and asking him
"Do you think we are at war?" He lowered his voice, and very fatherly said, "No, we are not at war."
But I knew better. We've been at war, it seems, ever since.

:cry:

[RetroLounge]

13. ...

:hug:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Retro...

The perfect poem for today, alas...

Thank you

:cry:

:patriot:

[RetroLounge]

14. ...

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

5. ~

:patriot:

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

15. ...

:hi:

RL

[MissMillie]

6. thank you so much

for reminding us today....


:hug:

[RetroLounge]

16. ...

:hi:

RL

[Guava Jelly]

7. I like it!

And it rhymes :D :woohoo:

[RetroLounge]

17. ...

:hi:

RL