From hungry soil, from mud of Flander’s field
see shell-shocked souls and poppy’s flown, in cries
from clay of Sommes, Verdun, from rats and lice
from smell of soggy uniforms, congealed
with gangrene memories. From chlorine gas,
in voices harsh from bleeding lungs, they sing
a hymn that echoes from the crystal glass
of presidents and generals, who bring
across a century (our souls still sore)
from Iraq and Syria: rebirth of war.
I just watched a TV series about the first world war, and have to say this brought forth those memories and of course also combined with the poem by John McCrae (Flander’s field). Linked to Magpie Tales, I also link this to toads, as it feel more appropriate than ever, after the 11-11 it’s only two days till 11-13
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November 8, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings
Poetry and fiction by a physicist from the dark side
This serves to remind me how much I detest war…
It keeps rearing it’s ugly head! Your poem is very good!
Nice work, Bjorn.
Nothing has as big an impact as “rebirth of war.” Wonderful!
‘the smell of soggy uniforms’ is a brilliant line to understate the horror – not sure the WWs conflate with the Middle East ‘though our souls are still sore’
Powerful stuff; well done.
Sadly war is part of everyday life
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Heartfelt words Bjorn, powerful and thoughtful at the same time. The photo is amazing also,
When a weaker side is found the strong can easily work out an excuse to justify its belligerence.
Hank
Those who have fought and sacrificed should of course be remembered – but we should not forget the reality of war..often glossed over and idealised by the media…but certainly not in this poem – a fine poem
I like this one very much! Something about poetry in reflection of war. Very nicely done. I write down this path quite frequently. If you’re interested, here’s a link that would enjoy your review. Thanks! http://jaybluepoems.com/2014/08/06/wwi-remembrance/
My mind keep taking my eyes back to “…congealed with gangrene memories.” I love how you constructed this part because it effectively draws out the pain and the torment and it sad, sad that a century later and the lessons from History stay unlearned.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
~Sun Tzu
Brilliant writing my friend. I love this… 🙂
Sigh. Such is the history of man… and the prophecies of poets. Excellent write but hard to “like”, Bjorn.
Wars are never won … they only lead to losses.
Yes its all very necromantic , veterans day
Very true my friend! I like the international flavor of this.
‘congealed with gangrene memories’ – your genius with words always touches me.
A very strong, visceral articulation of the horror of war. The march-like rhyme was very effective: time passes … but wars march on.
How powerfully you have captured the how inability to learn from such loss, as if each generation seems to require the lesson. Well done!
Seems endless doesn’t it… Humans are not wired for lasting peace apparently….
I wish all these words were alien to our minds… that circles had forgettable beginnings and predetermined eds.
All I can do is nod my head in agreement.. to see another war begin to play out on French soil is devastating.
What’s the saddest thing is that I wrote this before the events in Paris.
this game has gotten old. a form of hedonism in the minds of a nihilists.
the human tragedy
A powerful write………too many wars, too much bloodshed. Too hard to carry so much pain in our hearts.
Very well penned. Vivid and stark.
I visited some war memorials in Belgium and France this year so this touched me deeply.
So, haunting~ Well written,Bjorn!
War, we seem to never learn from it. Brutal agony spills from this.
“Wars and rumors of war,” here we go again.
I suppose this round was inevitable, history repeats. Now is the time to brush up.
War is eternal, a product of everything in our DNA we can;t seem to control, however destructive–this blends the pathos of yesterday and the insanity of today in a seamless elegy.
Excellent word choices here adding to the harsh and painful truths expressed
holy shit, Bjorn.
What a strong, confident, bird’s eye view. The poppies in there, and presidents, sweet lord I love it!!!!!
Amy