Monday, September 25, 2017

In Flanders Fields

Let the sound of bells and whistles ring out over the football fields of Britain. FIFA has taken a sensible decision. Over recent years, this has not been usual. But Fifa has decided that poppies can be worn by international football teams on and near Remembrance Day to commemorate Armistice Day. Last year, to widespread condemnation, the football authorities of England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland were fined for ignoring a FIFA instruction to not commemorate. Not unreasonably, the change of policy requires that the opposition team are content that symbols should be worn.
Personally, If I was selected to play for Wales (striker would be my favoured position) I would wear a tee shirt under the red shirt of Cymru with the words of John McCrae printed on it.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That marks 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 your quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to lift it high
If he break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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