In Flanders Now

  Written at the close of World War I, in answer to
Colonel McCrae's well-known poem. "In Flanders
Now" was used at the unveiling of the tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in Washington. Printed on a card
with the Belgium National Anthem and sold by the
Federation of Women's Clubs, a million dollars were
raised and used for the restoration of the Louvain
Library. As we read the poem now in the aftermath
of another world war, it awakens many conflicting
emotions that search our hearts.

We have kept faith, ye Flanders' dead,
  Sleep well beneath those poppies red
That mark your place.
The torch your dying hands did throw,
  We've held it high before the foe,
And answered bitter blow for blow,
  In Flanders fields.

And where your heroes' blood was spilled,
  The guns are now forever stilled
And silent grown.
There is no moaning of the slain,
  There is no cry of tortured pain,
And blood will never flow again,
  In Flanders fields.

Forever holy in our sight
  Shall be those crosses gleaming white,
That guard your sleep.
  Rest you in peace, the task is done,
The fight you left us we have won,
  And Peace on Earth has just begun,
  In Flanders now.

--Edna Jaques