The slate stone slab at Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey, commemorates sixteen of the Great War Poets … unveiled on 11 November 1985, the 67th anniversary of the Armistice.
There's an inscription which quotes from Wilfred Owen's “Preface” to his poems:
My subject is War, and the pity of War.
The Poetry is in the pity.
Poets of the First World War
Memorial in Westminster Abbey
Isaac Rosenberg who died on 1st April 1918 at Fampoux, near Calais, is one of the sixteen poets recorded on the slate.
Rosenberg's self-portrait … he became interested in both poetry and visual art … he has an interesting history – sad, he like so many others, died so young.
Thinking of what these incredible men and women endured for us … their courage … and suffering.
Rosenberg's self-portrait
If … if only … if only … we could respect each other in this world … we are all human … we would live happily together and benefit with this life of ours …
Let's spread peace without destruction of our lives, our culture, our societies …
I list the poets inscribed on the Memorial:
Richard Aldington; Laurence Binyon; Edmund Blunden; Rupert Brooke; Wilfrid Gibson; Robert Graves; Julian Grenfell; Ivor Gurney; David Jones; Robert Nichols; Wilfred Owen; Herbert Read; Isaac Rosenberg; Siegfried Sassoon; Charles Sorley; Edward Thomas.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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29 comments:
Thanks for this, Hilary. The following words of Rupert Brooke, taken so tragically young, are as fine as any ever written in the English language, in my opinion. I doubt that I am alone in feeling this way.
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there’s some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England’s, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
I hope you are doing well and that the sombre nature of the moment does not induce too much melancholy. Very best wishes - David
Thanks David - the Rupert Brooke poem is so evocative and as you say I'm sure many of us will remember his words. I can't believe I've written 15 Remembrance posts the first one featuring the Canadian surgeon/poet and soldier John McCrae ... so there's quite a lot of information available on the blog - particularly about Kipling, whose house is near here. It's excellent to read the Rupert Brooke poem here - thank you for writing it out for us.
A day of memories ... quiet, peace and thought for everyone - cheers Hilary
Well said, Hils. It is sad that after all this time on earth, we haven't figured it out.
If only ... it really shouldn't be difficult.
Your last sentence - will we ever get there? It seems further away than ever sometimes.
Hari Om
I fear that true rememberance is long forgot - hence the repitition of history... YAM xx
A very solemn occasion.
I particularly like some of Siegfried Sassoon's poetry. It's very moving. Thank you for paying tribute to the poets of the war.
Love,
Janie
@ Sandra - thank you ... I do wish we would learn from our Wars - so unfair to so many ...
@ Keith - If only ... it really shouldn't be difficult: as you say ... If only ...
@ Anabel - will we ever get there ... not with our present set of leaders sadly ... at least another generation ...
@ Yam - yes many don't remember or realise the horrific effect of war on many ... as you so rightly mention ...
@ Liz - thankfully Services are still held for those fallen and all who felt the lasting effects ...
@ Janie - yes the poems published at that stage in history are so evocative ... Sassoon, Brooke, Owen et al as I listed ... and no doubt many others ...
Thank you all for joining me in these times of Remembrance ... Hilary
I hadn't heard of Isaac Rosenberg, to my shame. No patriotism, just a requirement to get the job done. That's honest. The scales fell quickly from the eyes of many a young, inexperienced patriot. There is no glory in war, but there will always be war, in one form or another, much as we may all wish it to be otherwise.
I haven't hears of this poet and will look up his poetry I love the line The poetry is in pity Something to think about. 'Let's spread peace without destruction of our lives, our culture, our societies ' Amen yes it is time for peace let it break out.
Such an important day. Shall we never forget it.
@ Janice - I hadn't heard of Rosenberg before, but I liked his self-portrait, and then the history of those Great War Poets and all who served at that time. In those days one did just get on with it ... today I wonder what would happen ... it's time we learnt to respect each other, and learn our attributes ...
@ Marja - like you I hadn't heard of Rosenberg, let alone his poetry ... there are one or two on the list, who came from Sussex, so their names rang a bell for me. Thank you for your acknowledgement of that sentence 'let's spread peace ....'
@ Jacqui - as you know so well from your two serving children ...
Thanks for coming over and leaving a comment ... with thoughts at this time - Hilary
It's wonderful that the Great War Poets are commemorated.
Thanks for sharing this, David.
Hils, Hope your weekend is filled with serenity. Cheers,
Thanks Sandra for your support ... the poem 'Soldier' by Rupert Brooke is very evocative and it's always good to be reminded to read it through - and I'm sure David will appreciate your comment. I hope to have a peaceful weekend, as I hope everyone else does too - cheers Hilary
Wonderful war poems.
Can't get enough.
We need more wars!
Sarcasm off.
Thanks Sean - I really should read more of these poems and appreciate how and why they were written. Good to see you - cheers Hilary
I love Owen and Sassoon, haven't really read much of the others. Must remedy that! Thanks for highlighting them. In spite of all the wise words written by the poets, we as a race fail to grasp the lessons...sigh.
I hope you're doing well.
I hope your weekend was a good one. It's hard to think about poets fighting and dying, it seems to run against nature, doesn't it?
I don't know how I missed this post. Late to comment. The comment is "Sigh" - very sad to think of fighting and dying and the ridiculousness, past and present, of it all. Why can't we all get along? Hugs to you and I hope you are having a good week.
Here's to spreading peace:)
@ Nila - thank you ... I must read more poetry - as you say remedy that lack of poetry reading. Sadly as a race - the humans have much to account for ... we're not wise. You're so right.
@ Sandra - thanks for your two wishes ... we do need to spread peace and work together for humanity ...
@ Joanne - don't worry ... lots going on. Exactly - why can't we get along and work to help each other ..
Cheers - look after yourselves - Hilary
Hils, Hope your weekend is filled with good weather, good health, good food and good friends. Cheers,
I agree- we need to spread more peace, kindness and understanding. :)
This is a beautiful, powerful, and deeply moving tribute to the Great War Poets on Armistice Day. Thank you for sharing the photo of the memorial and that poignant quote from Wilfred Owen. www.melodyjacob.com
Hope you are doing well, Hils. Cheers and hugs:)
@ Sandra - thanks for both your wishes ... my next post 'tells it all' ...
@ DMS - thank you ... we do need to spread more peace, kindness and understanding ... I do hope everyone will come to their senses ...
@ Melody - appreciate your comment ... Remembrance Day always brings reminders into my scheme of life - and I learn more ...
Cheers to the three of you - HIlary
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