World War I erupted 100 years ago on July 28, 1914. War still begets poetry.

Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae penned this poem—perhaps the most memorable words of the Great War—after burying a friend who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. Flanders Field Poppies courtesy of Tijl Vercaemer.

Flanders Fields

By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (1915)

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…