(no subject)

[remindmeofthe]

I'm just going to repost the poem I posted for Veterans' Day last year. My feelings haven't changed.



"At the Cenotaph"
Siegfried Sassoon

I saw the Prince of Darkness, with his Staff,
Standing bare-headed by the Cenotaph:
Unostentatious and respectful, there
He stood, and offered up the following prayer.
"Make them forget, O Lord, what this Memorial
Means; their discredited ideas revive;
Breed new belief that War is purgatorial
Proof of the pride and power of being alive;
Men's biologic urge to readjust
The Map of Europe, Lord of Hosts, increase;
Lift up their hearts in large destructive lust;
And crown their heads with blind vindictive Peace."
The Prince of Darkness to the Cenotaph
Bowed. As he walked away I heard him laugh.

Comments

[mercuriazs.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'd never read this before.

Aaahgsjf it's so twisted. Really great, thanks for sharing.

[remindmeofthe.livejournal.com]

I love this poem. Sassoon was a veteran himself and became a fierce pacifist after the war. I believe he wrote this poem before WWII, which gives it that sad little touch of prescience into the bargain.

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

never read this before. chilling.

[burningmarl.livejournal.com]

We studied this in school for my GCSEs. I really liked it and always have. Thanks for posting