Thursday, December 21, 2023

11.11.18.

This is coolbert:

Courtesy here, the Internet website of the distinguished Israeli, historian and military theoretician Martin van Creveld.

"Disabled"

POSTED ON DECEMBER 14, 2023 BY MARTIN VAN CREVELD.

"As the Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the Gaza Strip drags on and on, it is time to say a word about the human cost of war. Of all war, let me quickly add, and on both sides. To my knowledge, no one has tackled this difficult topic better than Wilfred Owen did. A British officer who fought in World War I, he was killed in action just a week before the ceasefire of 11.11.1918. He left behind the following lines"

"Disabled"

"He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark,

And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey,

Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park

Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn,

Voices of play and pleasure after day,

Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him."


                *       *        *        *        *

Devoted readers to the blog are strongly encouraged without reservation or qualification to read the remainder of the poetry by Wilfred Owen. Wilfred I am sure would appreciate things as they are now, and in an instant heartfully understand what is occurring among civilians and military personnel, both.

And thank you, Professor Van Creveld.

coolbert.


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