Siegfried Sassoon: Does it Matter?
Does it matter?-losing your legs?
For people will always be kind,
And you need not show that you mind
When others come in after hunting
To gobble their muffins and eggs.
Does it matter?-losing your sight?
There’s such splendid work for the blind;
And people will always be kind,
As you sit on the terrace remembering
And turning your face to the light.
Do they matter-those dreams in the pit?
You can drink and forget and be glad,
And people won’t say that you’re mad;
For they know that you’ve fought for your country,
And no one will worry a bit.
Sassoon’s poem is from World War I – The War to End All Wars, and one, like so many others, that did not have to happen.
It is Thanksgiving here in the States. The turkeys are being readied, the recipes being gathered or shared with the generations of family.
How many of you have given thought to your extended family-those who are serving in combat zones, possibly for their third or fourth tours of duty?
Perhaps you could give thought to them by keeping them in your prayers; by demanding proper care for them when they come home physically, mentally, and spiritually wounded. Perhaps you could show them you care by telling the President to end endless war; to not freeze their wages for the next three years as their families lose their homes. Perhaps you could say thank you to a Veteran.
If you are a veteran of any war, we invite you to share your poems, your stories in a pro bono book whose working title is The Little Book of War. All proceeds from this international collaboration will go to PTSD foundations in the United Kingdom. Perhaps we can help not only UK Veterans, but by doing so bring light to the plight of so many others who find suicide the only way to end the war they knew. You may contact me at remybenoit@gmail.com with your word contribution.
Yes, you will keep the copyright to your words.
SUN BLOCK
Come forward young men
Take hold of this pen
We will put food in your bellies
Never hunger again
Queens shilling for all
Make you walk proud and tall
Send you on an adventure
Your country has called
Don’t be shy at the back
Its time to attack
The enemies of England
Shall crumble and crack
Come now matey
Here’s your SA80
Your bullets and bayonet
And laser designator
Don’t stand at the back
Put this in your pack
A bottle of sun block
For the heat in Iraq.
© Tony McNally
If you are a veteran of any war, we invite you to share your poems, your stories in a pro bono book whose working title is The Little Book of War . All proceeds from this international collaboration will go to PTSD foundations in the United Kingdom. Perhaps we can help not only UK Veterans, but by doing so bring light to the plight of so many others who find suicide the only way to end the war they knew. You may contact me at remybenoit@gmail.com with your word contribution. Yes, you will keep the copyright to your words.
The Little Book Of War Is a Still Forming Veterans Service Project Aimed at the Disabled Combat Veterans of our Allied Nation, The United Kingdom. Since the tightening of the purse strings necessitated by the current Financial Crisis there, they have been moved from the health care plan they were on as Wounded Military Veterans into a Civilian program. They are having grave problems getting proper timely care. Tony McNally , a Falklands veteran, is fighting to improve the situation. Remy Benoit a Veteran Supporter, author and publisher, and her Friend Eric Newhouse Pulitzer Prize winning Investigative Journalist are cooperating to use Remy's Publishing Firm "Front Porch History" as the vehicle for that fight. It is for now, planned as a book of poems, and maybe quotes, possibly some stories from veteran writers. It is a FREE Pro-Bono Service Project, and ALL Proceeds go to the Veterans. More info as available. Read more Here
Send your poems to remy@niquahanam.com and help our UK veterans
