I'd never seen this poem until today. I found the third stanza especially moving.

If today is the first time you've seen the poem, then you might like these as well. 

Reply To In Flanders Fields

  -- by John Mitchell

Oh! Sleep in peace where poppies grow;
The torch your falling hands let go
Was caught by us, again held high,
A beacon light in Flanders sky
That dims the stars to those below,
We'll prove our faith in you who lie
In Flanders Fields.

Oh! Rest in peace, we quickly go
To you who bravely died, and know
In other fields was heard the cry,
For freedom's cause, of you who lie,
So still asleep where poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

As in rumbling sound, to and fro,
The lightning flashes, sky aglow,
The mighty hosts appear, and high
Above the din of battle cry,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below
Are fearless hearts who fight the foe,
And guard the place where poppies grow.
Oh, sleep in peace, all you who lie
In Flanders Fields.

And still the poppies gently blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
The larks, still bravely soaring high,
Are singing now their lullaby
To you who sleep where poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

Another Reply To In Flanders Fields

  -- by J. A. Armstrong

In Flanders Fields the cannons boom,
And fitful flashes light the gloom;
While up above, like eagles, fly
The fierce destroyers of the sky;
With stains the earth wherein you lie
Is redder than the poppy bloom,
  In Flanders Fields.

Sleep on, ye brave! The shrieking shell,
The quaking trench, the startling yell,
The fury of the battle hell
Shall wake you not, for all is well;
Sleep peacefully, for all is well.
Your flaming torch aloft we bear,
With burning heart and oath we swear
To keep the faith, to fight it through,
To crush the foe, or sleep with you,
  In Flanders Fields.

A Third Reply -- "America's Answer"

  -- by R. W. Lilliard

Rest ye in peace, ye Flanders dead.
The fight that ye so bravely led
We've taken up. And we will keep
True faith with you who lie asleep
With each a cross to mark his bed,
  In Flanders Fields.

Fear not that ye have died for naught.
The torch ye threw to us we caught.
Ten million hands will hold it high,
And Freedom's light shall never die!
We've learned the lesson that ye taught
  In Flanders Fields.

My grandfather Richard Scarborough, at 17 was left for dead in No Man's Land of Flanders Field for 3 days. When they went out to recover the bodies, found him alive. My prayers are that somewhere in the rubble that is left in New York, and Virginia, they find some survivors.

Thanks, Tennessee_Bob. I hadn't seen the replies before. The poem was committed to memory in grade school, in the days before PC and Self-Esteem clases.

One of my favorites. Thanks very much for dusting it off...it's quite appropriate right now.

I'd never seen this poem until today. I found the third stanza especially moving.

Actually, in these Politically Correct times, when the poem is reprinted in newspapers on occasions such as Memorial Day, the third stanza is usually left out.

As a child of the 70's, I missed this poem - too pro war.

At least I memorized Patrick Henry.

My first and sixth grade daughters have never been taught about the old, white guys.

We learned that poem in fourth grade at Carouthers Elementary school, in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Thanks for posting it, fellow Sandlapper. Thanks especially for putting in bold the (usually dropped these days) 3rd stanza.

It's moving and apropos. I haven't thought of it in 40 years or thereabouts.

17?!! Just imagine! 20 years ago when I was 17 I found starting college and sorority rush overwhelming!

Thanks, Hen. I memorized 'In Flanders Fields' as a child in Canada. When I was 13, and they handed me a .303 Lee-Enfield rifle, I understood what it meant.

Thanks for the others, Bob....FRegards

"The torch; be yours ..."

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie...