poetry

In Quiet Towns

Many poets have written response poems to “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian John McCrae. Thea Bennett, my grandmother, was one of those poets. Here is her Canadian reply titled “In Quiet Towns.”

In quiet towns the maples grow,
Between the houses row on row,
And in the sky
The leaves still gaily whirling by
Are seen by children playing below.

We are alive with thanks to you - 
The valiant men who've gone 
Beyond the sunset and the dawn
Loved and revered.

We look for friendship with the foe - 
Because to you who died we owe
A debt we can't repay - 
Unless the torch of faith can glow
From day to day
While maples grow
In quiet towns.

-by Thea Donaldson Bennett