Dulce et Decorum Est
Written by Wilfred Owen and read by Christopher Hitchens
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 gas-shells dropping softly 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 flound’ring 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;
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.
Images: Wilfred Owen in uniform.
'Over The Top', 1st Artists' Rifles at Marcoing, 30th December 1917, by John Nash.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:11 pm
by JimmyDee
I'm surprised we haven't had any Football Poppywank yet. Who will and who won't wear one, and special minute's silences because no-one at the ground can possibly wait until 11am on the Sunday.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:53 pm
by Zambo
To reply to both points.
People should be allowed to make their own decision whether they wear a poppy or not, without derision, ridicule and mockery. I know some believe that the symbol has been used excessively to marshal support for British military interventions, and that public figures have been pressured to wear the poppies. They should be given the choice. My granddad and great uncles fought in the 2nd World War, and I have worn poppies every year since I was a kid to commemorate the war dead and am proud to do so.
As for the minutes silence, organisations including football clubs, may want to express and have a show of support for the Armed Forces community.and sacrifice, and possibly for their own memories. I don't see any problem with that.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 2:26 pm
by birdie
Zambo wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:53 pm
To reply to both points.
People should be allowed to make their own decision whether they wear a poppy or not, without derision, ridicule and mockery. I know some believe that the symbol has been used excessively to marshal support for British military interventions, and that public figures have been pressured to wear the poppies. They should be given the choice. My granddad and great uncles fought in the 2nd World War, and I have worn poppies every year since I was a kid to commemorate the war dead and am proud to do so.
As for the minutes silence, organisations including football clubs, may want to express and have a show of support for the Armed Forces community.and sacrifice, and possibly for their own memories. I don't see any problem with that.
Except when appearing on any programme by the BBC. Saw last weeks QTm every man Jack in the audience was wearing poppy, not even November, obviously handed out by the BBC, I don't know of anyone going about their daily lives who wears a poppy other than on their outdoor clothes, I know I never have.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:29 pm
by subsub
Zambo wrote: ↑Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:53 pm
To reply to both points.
People should be allowed to make their own decision whether they wear a poppy or not, without derision, ridicule and mockery. I know some believe that the symbol has been used excessively to marshal support for British military interventions, and that public figures have been pressured to wear the poppies. They should be given the choice. My granddad and great uncles fought in the 2nd World War, and I have worn poppies every year since I was a kid to commemorate the war dead and am proud to do so.
As for the minutes silence, organisations including football clubs, may want to express and have a show of support for the Armed Forces community.and sacrifice, and possibly for their own memories. I don't see any problem with that.
Spot on, Zambo.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2023 7:28 pm
by The Ghost of Alex Higgins
Why don't we just shoot anyone not wearing a poppy?
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 9:33 pm
by Sadact7
I can’t remember
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:14 pm
by Sid Pervcat
Wear a Poppy...or not.
Don't be fauxtraged when people don't.
It ain't errrr hard.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:29 pm
by lambrini
It's a shame this thread turned into a debate about wearing poppies rather than an appreciation of the poem. But, okay.
Re: Remembrance
Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 6:01 am
by Sid Pervcat
lambrini wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:29 pm
It's a shame this thread turned into a debate about wearing poppies rather than an appreciation of the poem. But, okay.
lambrini wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:29 pm
It's a shame this thread turned into a debate about wearing poppies rather than an appreciation of the poem. But, okay.
lambrini wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:29 pm
It's a shame this thread turned into a debate about wearing poppies rather than an appreciation of the poem. But, okay.
Should have put it open chat in that case
I did. The mods moved it.
Knew it would turn into a discussion from the title.
lambrini wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:29 pm
It's a shame this thread turned into a debate about wearing poppies rather than an appreciation of the poem. But, okay.
