In the US it is called Veteran’s Day to honor those who served. In Canada, where I have my roots, it is called Remembrance Day, with some similar intent.
From “In Flanders Fields,” a poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian soldier who fought in the Second Battle of Ypres.
In Flanders felds 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.
I’m moved extra by this poem today. For the contrast that it names, “short days ago…” My contrasts may not be the same. Your contrasts may not be the same.
Yet here we live, wrapped in what has urgency. Or precedence. Wrapped with what consumes. While also, simultaneously loving, being loved, being still in a sunset, marveling at larks.
I’m glad to remember today, what reinvokes humanity.
