In Flanders Fields

John McCrae | December 1915 | John McCrae

[Clive]

In Flanders Fields
by 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.

[Irma]

The fallen shall be avenged, count on it.

I am, thanks!

[Romulus]

Wilfred Owen

SONNET

On Seeing a Piece of Our Heavy Artillery Brought into Action

Be slowly lifted up, thou long black arm,
Great Gun towering towards Heaven, about to curse;
Sway steep against them, and for years rehearse
Huge imprecations like a blasting charm!
Reach at that Arrogance which needs thy harm,
And beat it down before its sins grow worse.
Spend our resentment, cannon, -- yea, disburse
Our gold in shapes of flame, our breaths in storm.

Yet, for men's sakes whom thy vast malison
Must wither innocent of enmity,
Be not withdrawn, dark arm, thy spoilure done,
Safe to the bosom of our prosperity.
But when thy spell be cast complete and whole,
May God curse thee, and cut thee from our soul!

[Criminal Number 18F]

This is becoming rather a Great War poetry thread. Well... threads lead where they lead. As do officers. Which brings us to:

The General

"Good morning! Good morning!" the General said
As we met him last week on our way to the Line.
Now the men that he smiled at are most of 'em dead
And we're cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
"He's a cheery old card," muttered Harry to Jack
As we slogged off to Arras with rifle and pack.

* * *

But he did for them both with his plan of attack.

-Siegfried Sassoon

(as I remember it. Apologies to Siggy and all round if I'm wrong).

[Irma]

This is becoming rather a Great War poetry thread.

I agree. I keep coming back to see what has been added.