Flanders Poppy

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

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.

Flanders Poppy正是象征两次世界大战的一种花，中文叫虞美人。当年有一位英国老兵告诉我说，第一次世界大战部队驻扎在法国北部弗兰德地区的时候，他们在一座荒山上找到一处繁花盛放的斜坡，有百合，有木犀，有玫瑰，有虞美人。山上到处是炮弹炸过的窟窿，斑斑驳驳的焦土之间，那些灿烂的花草都散发着故乡的色彩和故乡的香味。老兵说，他坐在透着寒气的泥地上哭了好久好久：“Here were a realy glorious corner,and how quickly came memories of home!”我后来在一本书上果然找到这样一句形容弗兰德战地野花的句子。

------------《邵云环的春天》 董桥