In Flanders Fields oDDBall

Poem read by David Ball
illustrated by DDBall
*In Flanders Fields* is a famous war poem written by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during World War I. The poem is often associated with Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the U.S.) and has become a symbol of the sacrifices made by soldiers during the war. Here is an explanation of the poem’s content and background:

### **Content of the Poem**
*In Flanders Fields* is written in the voice of fallen soldiers who lie buried in Flanders Fields, a region that spans parts of Belgium and northern France. The poem captures the poignancy of life and death during war:

- **First stanza**: The dead soldiers describe the natural setting around them, noting the presence of poppies that grow among the graves in the fields of Flanders. The contrast between the peaceful natural scene and the violence of war is striking.

- **Second stanza**: The dead acknowledge that, though they once lived, loved, and fought, they now lie dead beneath the earth. They have passed on from the world of the living.

- **Third stanza**: The poem closes with a call to the living, urging them to take up the "torch" and continue the fight. If the living do not continue the struggle, the dead will not rest in peace.

### **Background**
John McCrae wrote *In Flanders Fields* on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of a close friend and fellow soldier, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who had died in the Second Battle of Ypres. McCrae was inspired by the sight of red poppies growing in the war-torn fields, which led to the poem's enduring association with remembrance and memorials for soldiers.

The poem was first published on December 8, 1915, in the magazine *Punch* and quickly became one of the most famous works of World War I. The image of the poppy has since become a symbol of remembrance, with people wearing red poppies on Remembrance Day to honor those who have died in military service.

McCrae’s poem reflects the themes of loss, duty, and remembrance, capturing the tragic yet resilient spirit of soldiers during the Great War. It continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.