Home » Poems » Robert Lindley » Courage of Youth, Battle of Ypres, Flanders Field

Notes About The Poem

Note- added - 8-26-2017

Wiki-
The name Flanders Fields is particularly associated with battles that took place in the Ypres Salient, including the Second Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Passchendaele. For most of the war, the front line ran continuously from south of Zeebrugge on the Belgian coast, across Flanders Fields into the centre of Northern France before moving eastwards — and it was known as the Western Front.

The phrase originates from a poem titled In Flanders Fields by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, inspired by his service during the Second Battle of Ypres. The fields were not maintained for years before they were made into a memorial. Today Flanders Fields is home to thousands of poppies.

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Found this while rummaging through some of my old poems. Decided not to edit it. Leave it as it was composed over 42 years ago..
Added the note for those not familiar with that battle and its horrific carnage, primarily from the insanity of large bodies of troops marching into direct machine gun fire.

Courage of Youth, Battle of Ypres, Flanders Field

Courage of Youth, Battle of Ypres, Flanders Field
(A Tribute)

Tough as nails young man with a red right hand
red-fire and whiskey ran in his blood.
Courageous seed of vast and cold hard land
quick temper, power of a surging flood.
Seeker of life, its promised mysteries
rash gambler with all he would ever own.
Born on ship in high wind swept, roaring seas
toughest warrior his town had ever grown.

Met his fate by volley of red-hot lead
buried on ground scared and battle blasted.
Aye boys, fodder that machine guns were fed
fools marching to death, long as it lasted.

Now flowers cover up and Time denies
scenes of battle torn soil and blood-red skies.

R.J. Lindley
April 23rd, 1975

SONNET-(DEATH AND WAR'S FUTILITY)
Tribute to Courage of Youth-- Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd 1915 .

Note- added - 8-26-2017

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Note:
This poem was selected and requested for teaching purposes at Cambridge University. Permission was granted for educational use.... RJL

conflictdeathfatesorrowwarsonnet

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Timothy Ray

Date: 4/8/2022 1:45:00 PM

for many years i served as a military escort for funerals....the essence of this poem says why i did...thank you

Robert Lindley
Date: 4/12/2022 7:24:00 AM

Thank you, my friend. I believe you did it out of wisdom, empathy, and a deeper understanding. As did my older brother Julian Ray Lindley, that served in the army and did same as you for funerals of passing Marines... God bless...

Marius Alexandru

Date: 5/31/2021 8:14:00 PM

I like how you ended this excellent sonnet of yours. "Now flowers cover up and Time denies scenes of battle torn soil and blood-red skies." Great poem.

Robert Lindley
Date: 6/1/2021 4:33:00 AM

Thank you my friend. I thought it a perfect ending for message in the poem. That of the futility and insanity that is war. And especially so- in the great and grievous losses in that war. Where idiot generals had masses of men charging directly into machine-gun fire. Such loss, such horrific carnage and such bravery from those young men. WW1 does not get the coverage as does WW2, but it was mass slaughter and carnage on such a huge scale. My poem was inspired by my having read of those battles, and the poem, - In Flanders Fields BY JOHN MCCRAE..

Jon Gutmacher

Date: 5/31/2020 4:34:00 PM

The poem was quite powerful. Enjoyed it quite a bit. If you have a chance, take a look at my poem A British Soldier in Zululand. I think you'll appreciate it, as well.

Robert Lindley
Date: 5/31/2020 8:47:00 PM

Thank you my friend. I have indeed now read your magnificent poem you cited. I found it to be a true gem and a most worthy tribute to the British soldier, and warriors that have throughout history exhibited, such magnificent courage and too oft even gave their lives in the name of duty, dedication, honor and the right to be free and live in peace. God bless....

Jim Dunlap

Date: 5/12/2020 3:09:00 PM

Horrific battle, bud. You've done the fighters justice with this. Nice job. Beau travail.

Robert Lindley
Date: 5/31/2020 8:40:00 PM

Thank you my friend. I am truly honored that you have found this poem to be a worthy tribute to the many brave warriors that fought and sacrificed to defend their family, loved ones, friends and freedom and as well as their respective nations. God bless..

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 2/21/2019 1:59:00 PM

Hello Robert, your poem tells quit a tale of thes events. Have a nice evening my friend.

Robert Lindley
Date: 2/22/2019 7:29:00 AM

Thank you dear friend for reading and commenting. Yes, the epic horror, tragedy of war is reality. Humanity in its fallen state is doomed to engage in warfare as we are prone as a species to take from others. Darkness rules this realm and darkness loves war!

Jan Allison

Date: 4/8/2018 11:21:00 AM

Hey Robert, this i was my initial comment on your poem - how amazing my thoughts have come true!!! 'Robert I went straight to re-read John McCrae's poem after yours (it is a poem the children still study at school) It would be wonderful if your poem could be studied too, you are an amazing poet and this is REAL poetry. Bravo for not editing this incredibly moving poem, it needs no changes, just reading:-) hugs jan xx

Robert Lindley
Date: 8/31/2018 5:39:00 AM

Thank you my dear friend. You have great poetic insight along with your other wondrous poetic talents. Now that your prediction has come true, I have even deeper regret about my 600+ poems that were were stolen and burned, They were written during that time . Lucky that this one was on the first page of a new journal that was not stolen.

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/8/2018 10:33:00 AM

A glorious tribute, Robert. Beautifully written.

Jannie Breedt

Date: 9/11/2017 8:01:00 AM

Hi Robert. Congratulations. I have been threatening to visit you for some time now. What a fantastic surprise to find yours in no 1 !! That war.!!!! Led by that psychpath Kitchener to lead 500 men to their deaths. His notorious history here still have people.choking in their pretzels. Lovely write. Very emotive

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 9/8/2017 5:11:00 PM

Dear Robert, your fantastic poem is number One on the best new poems list! Congratulations my friend. You deserve the honors! : )

Terry Shuff

Date: 9/3/2017 7:41:00 PM

Being a Vietnam war veteran I've seen first hand senseless death of young men. 19 year old boys were no match for the men, women or even chrildren, of vietnam. Who had fought the French and won. World war 1. Was a hopeless stalemate. Now we face another potential massacre. And the beat goes on

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 9/1/2017 10:47:00 PM

You already know that I love this poem Robert, and I Faved it. I am so happy to see it honored as POTD! Congratulations my friend! : )

Fernando Rivera

Date: 9/1/2017 8:38:00 PM

You did not write a poem, you painted a picture...

Seren Roberts

Date: 9/1/2017 5:16:00 PM

excellent Robert added it to my Fav's....Seren

Joanna Daniel

Date: 8/30/2017 6:41:00 AM

A brave poem, Robert, and great work, congratulations on POTD:)

Gary Bateman

Date: 8/29/2017 2:25:00 PM

Robert, By the way -- I forgot . . . Congrats on POTD too!! Cheers, Gary

Gary Bateman

Date: 8/29/2017 2:23:00 PM

Hello Robert, Time has certainly not changed the extraordinary quality of this wondrously articulated sonnet. Truly Superb and A FAV!! Best Always, Gary

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart

Date: 8/29/2017 6:22:00 AM

Back to congratulate you lovely, hugs!

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/29/2017 6:03:00 AM

Thank you my friends, one and all. I was 21 years old back when I wrote this poem and almost decided to change some verses after finding it. But a little voice told me to leave it just as it was originally written. Glad I did because I am shocked to see the response it has made. Just as I was to find it being honored as POTD. Thanks, for reading and commenting.