Rover Dramawerks asking public for poems reflecting thoughts on war

by Jason Rice

The poems will be used as part of a public collage in conjunction with the region premiere of Mary's Wedding by Stephen Massicotte.

In spring of 1915, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD took 20 minutes of his time and wrote a poem reflecting his observations of World War I. Now, 92 years later, Rover Dramawerks requests you to do the same: Take a few minutes and write a poem that reflects your observations on war. If writing a poem is scary, try writing a short paragraph. Or share something by another writer or artist that you feel reflects your thoughts.

The poem that Lt. Col. McCrae wrote is the now famous Canadian poem "In Flanders Fields". The poem is written as from a newly killed soldier and asks us - the living - to take up the fight for those who have fallen. Keeping in mind all the wars since The Great War, how do we respond to this young soldier's request? What have we learned? What would you want this young WWI soldier to know about war in 2008? Has this young soldier died in vain? Have we properly thanked him? Have we honored his sacrifice?

Rover Dramawerks and the production of Mary's Wedding requests you ponder these questions and take a few minutes like Lt. Col McCrae to respond to the young soldier "In Flanders Fields". We will use ideas, thoughts and poems in our lobby display to further comprehend the multiple perspectives of war. Please submit to ofwar@roverdramawerks.com

Please include proper attribution if available.

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, MD

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, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

This article was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community.

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Anonymous

Rick Yost, says:

Honestly, I've never experienced war. I know only what little I gleaned from my Dad who was in the Army during the Korean war, and my older brother who was a Marine in Viet Nam. Although my brother returned to the states- he never really came back home. He left and lived his life away from the family- I've completely lost touch with him. Now, I have a son in the Navy. This is an emotional subject for me, so you'd think that would inspire an artistic expression of sorts.

I'll give it some thought and we'll see what happens Jason.