Only great poetry seems able sometimes to evoke the reality of war in all its horror. Yesterday, the world marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day. (Properly, Operation Overlord referred to the invasion and fight for Europe, and Neptune referred to the invasion of Normandy alone. This was not a distinction much observed at the time or since.*) This helacious fight enveloped all who participated in it. The gratitude we have to those brave men is incalculable.
Carl Sandburg, notable poet of the 20th Century, had his own viewpoint on war. In his poem "Wars," Sandburg describes in neat detail the differences between the wars of the past, present, and future. Due to copyright concerns, I am unable to re-print the entire poem here. You can find the entire poem in Carl Sandburg. Selected Poems. George and Helene Hendrick. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1996, p. 108.)
from "Wars" by Carl Sandburg --
(c) 1996 by Maurice C. Greenbaum and Philip G. Carson as Trustees for the Carl Sandburg Family Trust
*Source: Eric Larrabee, Commander in Chief.
Carl Sandburg, notable poet of the 20th Century, had his own viewpoint on war. In his poem "Wars," Sandburg describes in neat detail the differences between the wars of the past, present, and future. Due to copyright concerns, I am unable to re-print the entire poem here. You can find the entire poem in Carl Sandburg. Selected Poems. George and Helene Hendrick. Harcourt Brace & Co., 1996, p. 108.)
from "Wars" by Carl Sandburg --
In the old wars clutches of short swords and jabs into faces with spears.In the new wars long-range guns and smashed walls, guns running a spit of metal and men falling in tens and twenties.In the wars to come new silent deaths, new silent hurlers not yet dreamed out in the heads of men.
(c) 1996 by Maurice C. Greenbaum and Philip G. Carson as Trustees for the Carl Sandburg Family Trust
*Source: Eric Larrabee, Commander in Chief.
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