When I wrote about my uncle Thomas recently I certainly felt in one of those 'thin places' but I hadn't made the intellectual connection that it was so close to Armistice/Remembrance Day.
This year of course marks 90 years since the end of World War One. Sadly not the war to end all wars. But maybe the first time that armed conflict involved so many nations. And taught such hard lessons especially for the colonial nations. And changed forever the lives of generations.
I was 'on' for reflection at our curriculum meeting this morning. So chose Flanders' Field. With the modifications suggested by the narrative of those who saw the original pencilled by John McCrae.
I hadn't realised that this oft-repeated verse was written by a physician. John McCrae was Professor of Medicine at McGill University. Served in the Boer War as a gunner, and in WWI as a medic. More about him and the writing of the verse here.
In Flanders’ Fields
In Flanders’ Fields the poppies grow
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 blow
In Flanders’ Fields.
As I think of our students, whose hands were so recently blessed by the Cardinal, I wonder where their careers will take them. What their eyes will see and their hands write. What healing they may bring. What will move their hearts. What torch they will carry and what faith they will keep.
9 comments:
Thank you for posting the poem. I've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever read it.
I hadn't stop to think that it was 90 years. I have read many novels set in World War I. It was a horrific war.
It was horrific Ruth. I am moved every time I read or see anything about it.
Thank you for the poem. I like reading about the poppy and your memories. Lately I have been reading Maisie Dobbs' mysteries, which are set in England following WWI. I need to learn more about it.
I think you encapsulate for me the importance of our horror and remembrance being translated into positive action for health and peace.
I struggle with the formal ceremonies at this time of year (esp when asked to lead them !), although, over here, more and more people are getting involved in them. They are sombre and respectful, and less nationalistic than they used to be, but I still wonder what action they prompt beyond the war memorial.
We have seen so many crosses row on row on the TV in the past couple of days. My reactions are mixed ... pride in their bravery, horror at the carnage, frustration that war continues.
I share those mixed reactions. The lines 'Short days ago/ We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,/ Loved, and were loved, always highlight for me the futility of war. ANZAC commemorations in NZ always impressed me with the involvement of Turkish and NZ officials. For the mothers (and fathers) of the 'fallen' nationalism is generally meaningless.
That is a wonderful poem, thanks for the reminder of it. I pray that those who have been recently blessed will go on to be a blessing to others.
Reading "In Flanders Fields" again I was reminded of my maternal grandfather, a medic in WWI...he came home with what was then called "battle fatigue," and was never quite the same; couldn't keep a job. He was, however, the family "healer" -- my grandmother was too ill and anxious herself to take consistent care of her sick children -- and got my mother and her siblings through some very serious childhood diseases before the advent of widespread vaccinations.
Have you ever heard the contemporary folk song "Christmas in the Trenches" by John McCutcheon? It's about the famous WWI "Christmas Truce" where battle-weary English and German soldiers stopped their fighting and celebrated the holiday together. It always reduces me to a damp, weeping puddle.
I'll look out the song. I enjoyed the movie 'Joyeaux Noel' about the same event. It's a very good story. In the movie they had to move the men away from that location because they couldn't bring themselves to resume warfare.
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