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World History

petronius

(26,683 posts)

1. I've been thinking of this poem a lot recently:

Reply to theHandpuppet (Original post)

Fri Aug 1, 2014, 02:59 PM

Aug 2014

At the Cenotaph

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.

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Siegfried Sassoon's WWI diaries published online [View all] theHandpuppet Aug 2014 OP

I've been thinking of this poem a lot recently: petronius Aug 2014 #1

Some of which are still encrusted with the mud of the trenches. Byronic Aug 2014 #2

One of my heroes as well. nt thucythucy Mar 2018 #3

Thanks for this link. nt thucythucy Mar 2018 #4

Suicide in the Trenches was always the one that gave me chills Abu Pepe Apr 2018 #5