Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Columbine and Flanders fields

columbine with marigolds

In memory of the many soldiers that have died serving the U.S. or in any country that allowed the rest of us to have freedom, here’s the famous Flanders fields poem by Canadian John McCrae, written during World War I:

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

The two orange “blobs” in my photo (behind the rocket-like white columbine) are marigolds.

flowers Today

On a related topic, What’s a Doughboy?
Doughboy statue of Highland Park, New Jersey

chubskulit says

What a beautiful tribute to those who sacrificed for our freedom!

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Carver says

Beautiful shot of the columbine and that poem is always so moving. Great post for today.

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EG Wow says

The columbine is extremely beautiful! And you have uoted the perfect poem for Memorial Day. Here in Canada that same poem is recited on November 11, Remembrance Day. :)

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leoraw says

Nov. 11 is our Veteran's Day.

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Modern Mom says

Gorgeous bloom!

My entry.

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Luna Miranda says

i love this photo, and the poem..a fitting tribute.

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Ilana-Davita says

I really like this poem. Many young men died during WW1 in our area and I get a glimpse of their graves almost every day on the outskirts of the town. And the poet Wilfried Owen is buried only 30 miles from here.

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Tammie says

a beautiful tribute Leora.

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Laura Hegfield says

So beautiful Leora, both your photo and the poem.

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Pupo - Brasil says

Beautiful flower.

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Rajesh says

Beautiful flower. Never seen it before.

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Jama says

So pretty!

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Carletta says

Lovely image Leora!
I have always loved this poem. Thanks for sharing it today as a tribute to those who have died for our freedom all around the world.

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Kala says

Beautiful post. Beautiful image.

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Gemma @ Greyscale says

I think that this is the first time I have seen a columbine! It's such a fascinating shape! Beautiful photo!

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Evergreen Tree says

Wow! It looks like a shooting star to me.... lovely shot!

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leoraw says

I thought "rocketship." Thanks for commenting.

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Rayna Eliana says

How poignant and lovely. Beautifully composed...both the photos and the lovely poem.

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