What passing bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
Wilfred Owen
I hope you will remember that there is no glory in modern wars, Julia. Ninety percent of its butchery is confined to the murder of innocent civilians.
ReplyDeleteWho said there was..?
ReplyDeleteConfusing the works of Binyon with Owen in a jaded moment?
ReplyDelete