However, today I am going off topic to post something for this special day - November 11 - Remembrance Day in Canada.
There seems to be a bit of a focus on World War I (aka The Great War) in the media this year. I lost a great uncle in that horrible conflagration.
There was an excellent 8-part series on PBS 20 years ago called "The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century". I am so glad I taped it back then as it does not appear to have ever come out on DVD. One of the individuals covered in that series was Wilfred Owen - a noted poet that would not survive the war. He was killed in action 1 week before the end of the war. Below is one of his more famous pieces.
Anthem for Doomed Youth
by Wilfred Owen
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.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
War is hell. Will we never learn?
