My little swim group usually marks Remembrance Day with either some stories of those we remember or some verse that makes us think about the futility and tragedy of war. It seems especially relevant with the craziness happening in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Today I read some poetry in the pool between our sets:

Suicide in the Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon (1917)
I KNEW a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.

In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
· · · ·
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.

The Dead (IV) by Rupert Brooke (1915)
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.

These had seen movement, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.

There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.

I found The Dead in an anthology of poetry Other Men’s Flowers compiled by A.P. Wavell (first published in 1944, when he was Viceroy in India). They were his favourite poems. He only includes one of Sassoon’s and it is also worthy of inclusion today, so here we go.

The General by Siegfried Sassoon (1917)

“Good-morning, good-morning!” the General said
When we met him last week on our way to the line.
Now the soldiers he smiled at are most of ’em dead,
And we’re cursing his staff for incompetent swine.
“He’s a cheery old card,” grunted Harry to Jack
As they slogged up to Arras with rifle and pack.

But he did for them both by his plan of attack.

And for those who prefer their anti-war verse with music, I offer the following songs:

https://youtu.be/BxrLVldZtmg?si=Sfk-qqK6UD2jvZ70

Zombie by The Cranberries

https://youtu.be/DCtouot15cA?si=ufZYc0ao9xbM5AeV

The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel

https://youtu.be/Zu0hh7eI4_A?si=goc-tztGg-IRHwV8

Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire

https://youtu.be/JRV5LoOMyBk?si=6hPBDv1LdUXWs8UN

For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield

https://youtu.be/59QxnaR8Jl4?si=QqM_XZWcGPHnxEg-

Harry Patch (In Memory Of) by Radiohead

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztZI2aLQ9Sw?si=1r8OUiLFomO0JvlJ

War *What is it good for) by Edwin Starr

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XSiP0epO0oU?si=VY1l7Hs2SzNdcgdZ

Where is the Love by Black Eyed Peas