In Flanders Fields – 21st Century
Poppies
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a medical doctor and poet was recognized for his famous poem from World War I. Perhaps on this day, November 11, 2010, the most recited poem of our time. As we move into the 21st century, consciousness and the evolution of the human race has changed.
The sacrifices these men and women made were truly amazing. No-one should have to face what they did. Additionally, the families of those who lost loved ones as well as those who were fortunate to have their loved ones return from wars have been scarred in one way or another. Many of those who returned continued and still continue to mask the horrors to save us from the ugliness of it all.
My heart goes out to those who have endured. The gift they gave us is the freedom to choose how we live. We have the ability to carve a new future that will guarantee we will never, nor our children, grandchildren or any future generation ever face what they faced.
In reflection to the poem, I have created a modification that I believe we should begin to recite.
In Flanders Fields – 21st Century
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.
To the leaders of our Nations
In these times of frustrations
Go within, to your heart
And simply know, how great Thou art
Please end our quarrel with the foe;
To you with failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
Put down your weapons, hold your head up high
And we shall rest, where poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae/Dan Carpenter
As Maya Angelo said ” When we know better, we can do better”
Your comments are welcomed!
Until next time….
Dan Carpenter
Dan lives in rural Ontario, Canada, helping people world-wide find the key to open their door of opportunity to create the dreams and life passions using strategic customized processes. With a diverse background in Coaching, Business, Consulting, Sport and Energy therapies, Dan creates an experience enabling others to enjoy abundance and share their gift to the world.
I think you forgot why this poem was written. Germany had invaded France. People were being killed every day. I suppose one option is that every time an invading army comes forward we do everything they tell us to do… including turning over our family members to be shot because they work for the regime that the invaders want to displace…and never speak your mind again unless it matches the new regime. Would you turn in people to be shot? Would you parrot whatever the new regime told you to say, including writing only the poems they told you were politcally correct? And then change your poems with the next regime, and turn over different people to be shot?
@Susan: No, I haven’t forgotten why the poem was written. Quite the contrary. You see, the original poem suggests repeating the cycle. I suggest not. When people take up arms against another, they are the ones who have lost their way. If the German people would have said “no” to war then France would not have been invaded. It is a hard truth to stand for non-violence. If I don’t join your club, you have no club. If you take me by force, I will not carry out your instructions. If you torture me, I am of no use to your agenda. If you kill us all, you have no one to fight for your cause. It takes guts to stand up for what you believe and so many fail in this out of fear. To stand in front of another human being and take his life because someone else says so is totally out of character of our natural being. How is it that they can stop fighting on Christmas day and resume the next? How is the meaning of Christmas day is lost 24 hours later? What if all those who stop on Christmas day would choose to continue each day following as if it were Christmas day? What if they put down their arms and went home? We all have choices in life.
WOW what a beautiful change to the traditional “In Flanders Field”, if only ALL can see and live this way….
Please end our quarrel with the foe … put down your weapons … instead of Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw…
I love it!!
Thanks for sharing that with us!