War and Remembrance

[naomi24]

With Remembrance Day almost upon us, I thought ABers may like to read this poem written by Archie Menzies, a British Soldier who served with the Royal Engineers from 1939-46. It says it all really, doesn't it?


CASUALTIES WERE LIGHT
Our attack was most successful,
We landed during the night,
Opposition met was feeble,
Our casualties were light.

Such is the kind of news we hear,
In broadcasts on the air,
The news announcer reads the words,
Without the slightest care.

But that attack included one,
Who perished in the fight,
Included was this soldier in
"Our casualties were light".

It happened as he stormed a post,
That held up our advance,
He died so that the main attack,
Would stand a better chance.

"Killed in Action", was the verdict,
His number, name and rank,
Are carved upon a wooden cross,
Beside a river bank.

His wife received a telegram,
Commencing "We regret",
And 'ere she finished reading it,
Her eyes with tears were wet.

Her husband gone, her future too,
Alone she has to fight
The world, yet she was told
"Our casualties were light".

[luna-tic]

The poem really strikes deep within the psyche.
It wasn't until I saw the repetition of the line, "Our casualties were light", that I recalled reading the poem before in one of the english classes at my work place.

[Theland]

Poetry has such a powerful way of stirring the emotions doesn't it? War is evil, but sometimes a necessary reaction to a greater evil.

"Emotions you feel,
Around you they steal,
Saying much more than mere words can."

(Roger Chapman - the band, 'Family,' from their second album, 'Family Entertainment'.)