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In Flanders Fields

© Mary M. Alward

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 among the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved,

But now we lie in Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from flailing 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.

author John McCrae

Significance of the words in the poem

"In Flanders Fields" was written by Canadian doctor John McCrae on May 13, 1915. As dawn crept over the eastern sky, John watched the horrific scenes of a battle unfold. Men were dying by the hundreds.

John noticed that though the guns barked and men screamed, the larks were still flying overhead, singing bravely. He looked across Flanders fields and noticed the field was thick with scarlet poppies. John quickly penned the poem.

John's poem holds many images of battle. The red poppies symbolizes the blood that was shed. The crosses tell of the sacrifice given by the soldiers. The larks singing amidst the roaring of the guns give us contrast. Dawn and sunset represent life and death.

John's poem sails across our imaginations, creating realistic images that we can relate to. A great tribute to all those who gave their lives.

Fast Facts:

"In Flanders Fields" was published in Punch, a British newspaper, on December 8, 1915. Today, it is used in celebrations of remembrance all over the world.

An interesting fact about this poem is that John threw it away. A friend of his picked it up and submitted it to publishers.

Flanders was named after the farmer who owned the fields where the soldiers were fighting. His name was Flanders. There were no poppies there until the tanks churned up the soil. This is how poppies are germinated - by churning up the soil.

Author's Note:

McCrae House, the home of John McCrae, located in Guelph, Ontario, is now a museum.

Wear a poppy on November 11th. Shake the hand of a veteran and thank him/her for their sacrifice.

The copyright of the article In Flanders Fields in History For Children is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish In Flanders Fields in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.