The Three Poems

Several years ago, while preparing for a speaking engagement, I was reintroduced to the poem "In Flanders Field" by John McCrae.  I later discovered a poem "We Shall Keep the Faith" by Moina Michael, was penned to declare that others would lift high the torch once carried by those who were buried in Flanders Field. Moina Michael is better known as "The Poppy Lady" for her tireless work supporting Veterans.  Many still remember scouts and volunteers asking for donations on Memorial Day.  With each donation, a poppy was given as a thank you for support.

"Did They Die for Naught?", using a verse from Michael's poem, became the title for a current response, calling men (and women) to account.  It is now our time to carry the torch.

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In Flanders Field by John McCrae, MD (1915)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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We Shall Keep the Faith by Moina Michael (1918)

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Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.

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We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

 

And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.

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Did They Die for Naught? by Travis Witt (2023)

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To those asleep in Colevillle-sur-Mer

Can you sleep sweet?  “Sir, no sir

You dropped the torch which we threw

Epitome of valor – strong and true

Once held high, now esteemed but by few.”

 

Cherished no more the poppy red

Excluded from time as history fled

Vibrant images have tragically faded,

The passing of time – voices abated.

 

Yet now the Torch and Poppy Red

We’ll wear once again to honor our dead.

God help us - did they die for naught?

No!  Teach the reasons why they fought

For freedom – we too can never halt

Conveying to others the liberties they sought

For all of us – In Flanders Fields.