Squire nagged and bullied till I went to fight,(Under Lord Derby's scheme). I died in hell -
(They called it Passchendaele). My wound was slight,
And I was hobbling back; and then a shell
Burst slick upon the duck-boards; so I fell
Into the bottomless mud, and lost the light.
At sermon-time, while Squire is in his pew,He gives my gilded name a thoughtful stare;
For, though low down upon the list, I'm there;
"In proud and glorious memory" ... that's my due.
Two bleeding years I fought in France, for Squire:
I suffered anguish that he's never guessed.
Once I came home on leave: and then went west ...
What greater glory could a man desire?
~S. Sassoon
Very Tolkienish of you, Chief!
ReplyDeleteI did it once already one spot below, but
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Jn. 15:13
Some while ago you asked why should a soldier's opinion or life be regarded in a higher light than the average schnuck schleppin' donw the street.
I don't believe I answered, but I do believe this is why.
I personally believe I'm improved being around such a bunch.
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Chief:
ReplyDeleteGood on you to post prose from Sigfried Sassoon.
I have never approved of Americans ripping off Armistice day for Veterans Day ?????? Is nothing sacred? Nope! For all they went through, they deserved their own day... poppies and all.
Yes, I feel the need to buy a box of Cheerios getting stronger!
ReplyDeleteAnother acquaintance of mine, with no mean talent at it, quite a bit of talent actually, penned this:
An Interesting Date, Indeed
I think it really rather fun,
that we can take this date and play,
yet solemn, yes, and sacred things,
have all been planned for us today.
I shall remember then, this date,
but more than that, take time to pause
and give my deep and honest thanks,
for sacrifices made because
our blood-bought lives and liberties
were challenged, so brave souls believed
they had to rise and traverse seas
to fight ideals in dark conceived.
Each day we face an enemy:
a sloth-like apathy that yawns
at causes that sent countless lives
to rise and wake to death-filled dawns.
How apt the banners that announce:
Lest we forget. Lest we forget.
I may not have fought in such wars,
but apathy's not dulled me yet.
So in my heart I join those throngs,
who come to grimly celebrate
such bravery, and offer thanks,
despite the whimsy of this date.
You can find the original here, a few spots down
http://forums.theonering.com/viewtopic.php?t=103333
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Our hearts and minds are with #OccupyBurlington and all of our U.S. combat veterans today. As we reflect on the meaning of the "Loss of Josh," and the larger implications of living in the U.S. of Empire, this GOOD magazine article points out that, for two years running, more U.S. combat vetans have died from suicide than in actual combat - a sobering stat for this Veteran's Day.
ReplyDeleteGo to the link, there's an inspiring video there.
http://www.vtcommons.org/blog/loss-josh-occupyburlington-reflects-yesterdays-tragedy
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http://www.americablog.com/2011/11/armistice-day-reflections.html
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May we never fight another war again.
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