The poppies still grow...

(Note: The poppy is a symbol which, at least in the United States, is usually associated with Veterans Day, celebrated in November- on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. But this year, I think, the appropriate time for thinking about poppies is before November.

In a public school third grade class- a couple of years before my first exposure to Luther's Small Catechism- I had to memorize the poem below. It was written by a Canadian veteran of World War I, but it speaks with the voice of the dead- and of the living- who have fought in every war. Substitute Antietam or Normandy or Hue or Falujah for Flanders fields, and the appeal that voice makes is just as compelling.

When we memorized the text, we were instructed to substitute the words "Take up no quarrel with the foe" for "take up our quarrel with the foe." After all, we were no longer at war with the Germans and the Austrians. But this particular Memorial Day, the original words seem more apt.

In fact, the whole last verse seems especialy apt- and words which, again, need to be reflected upon this year before November comes.

The poem itself, and the story behind it, can be found here, at the official site of Arlington National Cemetary.- REW)

Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD

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.