Therefore all seasons shall be sweet to thee,
Whether summer clothe the general earth
With greeness, or the redbreast sit and sing
Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch
Of mossy apple-tree, while the nigh thatch
Smokes in the sun-thaw; whether the eave-drops fall
Heard only in the trances of the blast,
Or if the secret ministry of frost
Shall hang them up in silent icicles,
Quietly shining to the quiet Moon.



Sunday, November 09, 2014

For The Fallen



This was originally posted a few years ago but as I shall be laying a wreath at the War Memorial this morning and stewarding at our WW1 Exhibition this afternoon I don't have time to write a new one for the centenary of the outbreak of WW1. The poem 'In Flanders Fields' always bears repeating anyway.It is so very evocative.


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.


By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army




Remembering all those who have given their lives for their country, but especially
Pte Harry Hindley Simpson, 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers killed in action August 1916

and

AC2 Harold Harrison RAF buried in Jakarta War Cemetery, Indonesia 1942 - far from home but never forgotten.


"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"

9 comments:

Mac n' Janet said...

Our Veteran's Day is Tuesday and I always remember. Thought Mac was in the Army 21 years his only time in a dangerous area was 13 months spent on the DMZ in Korea.

Bovey Belle said...

A fitting post. I hope that your part in today's events was appreciated - I'm sure it was.

Roy Norris said...

Very fitting D. The single Poppy image was inspiring.

Patricia said...

Flanders Fields always brings a lump to my throat. We shall never forget. P x

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Remembrance Day this year has special meaning for me as my baby grandson was born at 12.20 today on 'the 11th day of the 11th month'. His name is Phoenix Adam and I am so grateful to those who gave their today for our tomorrow.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

In Flanders Fields is a very special poem. That is a lovely post and tribute.

Granny Sue said...

Well said, Rowan. Thank you.

Mary said...

Just popping by to wish you and yours a very Happy Christmas dear Rowan.
Hugs - Mary

Mary said...

Can't believe you've been gone from here for so long dear Rowan. Hope all is well with you and family, and that life is good.
Hope also that you'll pop back up here some day soon - I really miss you.
Hugs - Mary