Thermopylae
By CP Cavafy

Honor to those who in the life they lead
define and guard a Thermopylae.
Never betraying what is right, 
consistent and just in all they do
but showing pity also, and compassion; 
generous when they are rich, and when they are poor, 
still generous in small ways, 
still helping as much as they can; 
always speaking the truth, 
yet without hating those who lie. 

And even more honor is due to them
when they foresee (as many do foresee) 
that in the end, Ephialtis will make his appearance, 
that the Medes will break through after all. 

In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE

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.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for beautiful Homage to our great United States military!

    Made me think of the Elysium Fields, one of mythological realms where heroes go in afterlife. I think I heard this from reading books on the great General, George S. Patton who’s birthday is today November 11th 1885!

    Patton was interesting, he also read holy Bible every night and believed in reincarnation.

  2. A must read is a fantastic true story called
    Parables: A Letter from Michael —

    about a wounded young Marine on battlefield Korea 1950, who always prayed to Archangel Michael and eventually had vision of Archangel Michael who truly rescued him.

    Angels are real!
    Angels have always appeared on battlefields!

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