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So, soon they topped the hill, and raced together
Over an open stretch of herb and heather
Exposed. And instantly the whole sky burned
With fury against them; and soft sudden cups
Opened in thousands for their blood; and the green slopes
Chasmed and steepened sheer to infinate space
Of them who running on that last high place
Lept to swift unseen bullets, or went up
On the hot blast and fury of hell's upsurge,
Or plunged and fell away past this World's verge,
Some say God caught them even before they fell.
Extract from the poem 'Spring Offensive' by Wilfred Owen 1893 - 1918
These lines give some small insight into the horrors that men endured in WW1. We will remember them.
ReplyDeleteThanks D. We certainly will.
DeleteFitting verse Roy...[;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Trevor.
DeleteToo many poets found their inspiration in World War 1, Owen and Sassoon leap to mind, but I am sure there are others. Poets from many countries as well. Sad, and wrong I think.
ReplyDeleteThanks EC.
DeleteHowever it does help to keep these matters to the forefront, as they should be.
We have lost over 50 of our finest young men and women just in the last 12 months.
A post very close to my heart Roy.
ReplyDeleteJ
Visit my new blog 'Fragments of the Past'
... and many others John. Thanks.
DeleteSo the poppy is a symbol of the Remembrance Sunday, I hadn't known.
ReplyDeleteI was listening to the radio during lunch and they were just saying that the Czech Republic joined in the celebration of the Remembrance Sunday alias Veterans Day in November 2001. It is called War Veterans Day here. So much suffering and so many brave people, they deserve our respect.
Yes Petra, its worn during this week by English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh people in remembrance of our War dead, which includes the World Wars and all the conflicts since. Certain factions of our society don't were it which is quite disgusting really.
DeleteA fitting post Roy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith.
DeleteA very moving poem Roy and your photo, just gorgeous. A lovely tribute to Veterans. I bought my poppy yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise.
DeleteHey Roy...I am back to try again ...twice my comment got
ReplyDeleteeaten ; )!!
Strong words to describe the sacrifice of many in this poem!!
My Dad would take my sister and I, both with a fistful of change to buy our poppy.. we wore so proudly,not fully understanding the reason for it until later years!!
Unfortunately today these stories are few and far between!!
Grace
Thanks GG, I think more people in this country wear poppies now because of ongoing events and we are still losing so many lives within our present day military. It has concentrated younger people's minds.
DeleteThose who sacrificed deserve our remembrance. Thanks for posting this. Love the gorgeous poppy header photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary.
DeleteRoy, this brings tears to my eyes. So sad. So glorious. So tragic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathie.
Delete