Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

Lest We Forget

As a writer, I know the value of words. How words have the ability to take us places we’ve never been before—to share laughter and bring respite during times of sadness and pain. Some words help us remember.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.
———-

I’m too young to remember the effects of the World Wars. Too far separated from the current situations still waging to have personal experience. But I’ve heard stories—my father describing was it was like to live in a prisoner of war camp as a child in Indonesian. The gentlemen in the nursing home I volunteer at with my children sharing tales . From the Samhain authors, I’ve read stories by Denise Agnew and Elle Kennedy about military men and women—doing what needs to be done.

The words make me think. Make me wonder. Make me grateful.

Whatever your stand, or your memories of war, there are things we shouldn’t forget. Today as we stand in remembrance for two minutes of silence, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month…there are still people fighting for our lives. For our rights. For our happiness.

Maybe it’s you. If so, thank you.
————-
Vivian Arend is spending time today with family, and remembering.
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