Tag: In Flanders Fields

Rituals of solace and gratitude on Memorial Day. About Poppies and Lieut. Col. John M. McCrae poem In Flanders Fields

Posted on by Catherine

photos: Poppies bloomed before lilacs in Gloucester, Ma. 2022 (Salt Island Road, Eastern Ave., elsewhere)

I wrote about the poet and his poem, In Flanders Field, in prior posts. Republishing excerpts with links:

“Veteran of the Boer War and WWI, a teacher, and doctor, Canadian John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields in the spring of 1915 while still at the bloody battlefront in Ypres, Belgium, in an area known as Flanders. The Germans had already used deadly gas. Dr. McCrae had been tending to hundreds of wounded daily. He described the nightmare slaughter: “behind it all was the constant background of the sights of the dead, the wounded, the maimed.”  By this time he had already devoted his life to art and healing. He couldn’t save his friends. How could anyone?  

Twenty years prior, he sketched poppies during his medical residency in Maryland. He published poems and stories by the time he was 16.  I’m not surprised he noticed the brilliant fragile petals and horror. He wrote for those who couldn’t speak and those who had to see.

Meningitis and pneumonia killed him January 1918 after several months battling asthma and bronchitis. His poem and the emblematic poppy continue to inspire and comfort…”

Catherine Ryan, see 2016 GMG

“In Flanders Fields was penned by Lieut. Col. John M. McCrae, Canadian physician and soldier, during the First World War, following the first German chemical attack, early spring 1916, Second Battle of Ypres. Bonescattered, torn and trampled fields germinated scarlet poppies and so many, many simple white crosses.

The fallen went from war to peace.

In Flanders Fields was first published in London Punch December 1915. By March 1916, American newspapers carried the poem ( including Norwich Bulletin, and KY Citizen, June, 1916)

McCrae died in France in 1918, and there rests in peace and vitality.

The common poppies sway by design, are tall and reaching; their architecture flings the seeds further and their flowers appear to open and close, intermittent as firecracker displays. (Individual flowers bloom for (mostly) a day, but the one plant will produce hundreds of flowers over the season.) The large translucent blooms indeed blow, glow and grow. Those adjectives in the first line opener of McCrae’s poem have swapped around in different versions. “Blow” it is.”

Catherine Ryan see June 2021 GMG

Reminder: Memorial Day Tribute 9AM Gloucester High School #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Cape Ann Veterans Services does a masterful job hosting and facilitating Memorial Day commemorations as well as partnering and offering year round support. Their office is located on 12 Emerson Ave.

The service was beautiful. If I find a video link I’ll add it here. Take a moment to listen to the youth involved–stunning National Anthem rendition sung by Alessandro Schoc, Governor’s proclamation red by Kinnery Muniz, ROTC Missing Man Table Ceremony, and more

So beautiful how Cape Ann Veterans Services, caretakers, and volunteers honor the fallen- placing flags citywide and Memorial Day ceremony #GloucesterMA #CapeAnn

Posted on by Catherine

Adam Curcuru, Dir. Cape Ann Veterans Services (white suit), Vi Chipperini to his left (see the livestream)

Pat Dalpiaz and Joey LIVE streamed the ceremony at City Hall

Jim Dalpiaz played taps.

photo: Pat Dalpiaz

photo: Jim Dalpiaz

In Flanders Fields.

was penned by Lieut. Col. John M. McCrae, Canadian physician and soldier, during the First World War, following the first German chemical attack, early spring 1916, Second Battle of Ypres. Bonescattered torn and trampled fields germinated scarlet poppies and so many, many simple white crosses. The fallen went from war to peace.

In Flanders Fields was first published in London Punch December 1915. By March 1916, American newspapers carried the poem ( including Norwich Bulletin, and KY Citizen, June, 1916) McCrae died in France in 1918, and there rests in peace and vitality.

The common poppies sway by design, are tall and reaching; their architecture flings the seeds further and their flowers appear to open and close, intermittent as firecracker displays. (Individual flowers bloom for (mostly) a day, but the one plant will produce hundreds of flowers over the season.) The large translucent blooms indeed blow, glow and grow. Those adjectives in the first line opener of McCrae’s poem have swapped around in different versions. “Blow” it is.

Continue reading “So beautiful how Cape Ann Veterans Services, caretakers, and volunteers honor the fallen- placing flags citywide and Memorial Day ceremony #GloucesterMA #CapeAnn” →

THINKING OF OUR VETERANS

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Hoping that all our veterans were able to spend the day in a way that was meaningful to them.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
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.

To read about the origins of In Flanders Fields see the following from the Arlington National Cemetery website.

WISHING ALL OUR GOOD MORNING GLOUCESTER FOBS A PEACEFUL MEMORIAL DAY

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

In remembering many, and in honor of all our veterans, we wish you a peaceful Memorial Day.

Originally posted May 27, 2013

Icelandic Poppies sunny day ©Kim Smith 2013 copy

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
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.

To read about the origins of In Flanders Fields see the following from the Arlington National Cemetery website.

Icelandic Poppies ©Kim Smith 2013

In Flander's Field Illustration 1921

In Flander's Field

Motif Monday: Memorial Day, Gordon Parks, Poppies

Posted on by Catherine

Respectfully thinking about art that helps us celebrate, remember, remind and reflect every family who has suffered a loss in service.

Five reds five whites five blues
Donald Sultan Five Reds, Five Whites, Five Blues, 2008 color silkscreen with enamel, flocking and tar like texture
8d30295v
8d30292v
8d30299v.jpg
Gordon Parks, Library of Congress, 1943 photograph, Gloucester policemen, Memorial Day Ceremonies

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. 

John McCrae, 1872 – 1918

Veteran of the Boer War and WWI, a teacher, and doctor, Canadian John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields in the spring of 1915 while still at the bloody battlefront in Ypres, Belgium, in an area known as Flanders. The Germans had already used deadly gas. Dr. McCrae had been tending to hundreds of wounded daily. He described the nightmare slaughter: “behind it all was the constant background of the sights of the dead, the wounded, the maimed.” By this time he had already devoted his life to art and healing. He couldn’t save his friends. How could anyone?  Twenty years prior, he sketched poppies during his medical residency in Maryland. He published poems and stories by the time he was 16.  I’m not surprised he noticed the brilliant fragile petals and horror. He wrote for those who couldn’t speak and those who had to see. Meningitis and pneumonia killed him January 1918 after several months battling asthma and bronchitis. His poem and the emblematic poppy continue to inspire and comfort.

A few poppy images follow. I was thinking about their poetic illumination before and after WW1 and layers of meaning and beauty.

John McCrae sketch book 1896, Maryland
John McCrea sketchbook, ca.1896, Maryland

Paul Cummins blood swept lands and seas of red tower of london 2014 ceramic poppy
Paul Cummins, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, 2014, Tower of London, individual cast ceramic poppies fill the moat  (photo during installation in progress) commission to mark 100 years since the first full day of Britain’s involvement in WWI
Monet poppy field in a hollow near giverny 1888 mfa
Monet, Poppy Field in a Hollow near Giverny, 1888,  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

More representations of poppies in art

Continue reading “Motif Monday: Memorial Day, Gordon Parks, Poppies” →