Memorial Day always makes me turn to poetry. Somehow it seems to take a poet to express the grief and pride and other emotions tied up with this holiday. One of my favorite poems is “In Flanders Fields,” which was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae on May 3, 1915 In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead.Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields. Thank you to all who have served and tried to protect us and may we protect our future generations. Happy Memorial Day!