In Flanders Fields – John McCrae
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.
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.
Major John McCrae, second in command of the 1st Brigade Field Artillery in April and May 1915, was inspired to write this poem after his friend, Alexis Helmer, was killed in World War 1. This poem helps to reveal the true feelings of sadness felt by the people who have lost friends or family at war and forces people to see that the war isn’t a chance to go and see the world and have fun but it is like walking into a death trap. The message that the author, McCrae, was trying to give was that many people have died at war but that does not phase the generals in charge as they will continue to fight though the number of death will grow, to honour those who have lost their lives at war. This is a significant source as it helps to show people not only the number of deaths caused by war but also reveals the side-affects and depression after war.