'Fiery Furrow’

After the terrible destruction of World War One, the bare land

of Northern France and Flanders was transformed 

into fields of blood red poppies growing naturally around 

the graves of the fallen soldiers. 

In 1915, Canadian surgeon John Mc.Crae noted how quickly the 

red corn poppies grew around the graves of his comrades and wrote  

‘IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

  by John Mc.Crae. 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