The poppy flower only grows in the absence of
other flowers and only in ground that has been
churned. In perhaps the best-known poem of
World War 1, when Dr. John McCrae observed
poppies growing between the crosses on the
soldiers’ graves, it inspired him to write the poem
In Flanders Fields. The poppy has since become
known as “The Flower of Remembrance” and is
worn in memory of our veterans.
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.
