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Thursday 11 November 2010

Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori


Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs.
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep.
Many had lost their boots but limped on, blood-shod.
All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue
Deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.


Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And floundering like a man in fire or lime
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.


If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; I
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori.


Wilfred Owen 1893 - 1918



Dedicated to all those who have fought and lost their lives for their country in wars past and present.



Thomas O'Toole, Charlie O'Marley and Lola Fannola x

13 comments:

  1. That's deeply moving. The "war to end all wars," which sadly didn't.

    We wish with all our hearts that humans would just stop killing each other out of the ego's greed for resources, out of fear of the "other."

    And no one wants to mention all those who come back alive but missing body parts, or with PTSD, who subsequently commit suicide...We remember and honour all of them as well.

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  2. This is a very powerful and moving poem. Have you seen the painting called "Gassed" by John Singer (hangs in the Imperial War Museum in London)? The impressive painting depicts soldiers blinded by gas being led in lines back to the hospital tents and the dressing stations; the men lie on the ground all about the tents waiting for treatment.


    Mom always thinks of that painting when she reads this poem.

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  3. What a nice Rememberance Day post! We are purring for all our veterans today!

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  4. What a beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing:)

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  5. I am speechless at this poem filled with the brutal imagery of war!

    This we should never forget...

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  6. A purrrfekht honour and tribute fur today AND evFURRYday!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: Hi Shen!

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  7. Such a powerful and heart wrenching poem.
    A perfect rememberance.

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  8. A lovely tribute.. Very moving.. We want to say a very big thank you for our little surprise in the post. I was so touched you thought of me and sent me a card. It realy cheered me up.. Thank you so much my friends.. HUgs GJ xx

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  9. That is a great post for Remembrance Day. An 'old lie' indeed!

    Purrs Mickey, Georgia & Tillie

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  10. Thank you for sharing that poem... it is a wonderful way to remember.

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