Whilst in the Bleak Midwinter
Planetarium has never been a big poetry fan. Despite the theoretical and cultural imperatives to appreciate poetry, because it is the only form of writing that can create something beyond just the words laid down on paper (which we actually disagree with, by the way), Planetarium is not a place where poems are gathered and treasured. And yet, every once in a LONG while, at the unlikeliest of times, these things can hit you like a ton of bricks. As did something tonight. After watching repeats of John Kerry's speech, and reading in the Times about yesterday being the bloodiest day yet of fighting in Iraq, along comes Ezra Pound, out of nowhere, to spark something more than most could ever hope for. We won't force you to read it, but, really, if interested, click on the continuation, and see it for yourself, from one of the best, some turns of phrase that capture this "war" we're in so damn well.
From "Hugh Selwyn Mauberly":
IV
These fought in any case,
and some believing,
pro domo, in any case...
some quick to arm,
some for adventure,
some from fear of weakness,
some from fear of censure,
some for love of slaughter, in imagination,
learning later...
some in fear, learning love of slaughter;
Died some, pro patria
non "dulce" non "et decor"...
walked eye-deep in hell
believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving,
come home, home to a lie,
home to many deceits,
home to old lies and new infamy;
usury age-old and age-thick
and liars in public places.
Daring as never before, wastage as never before.
Young blood and high blood,
fair cheeks, and fine bodies;
fortitude as never before
frankness as never before,
disillusions as never told in the old days,
hysterias, trench confessions,
laughter out of dead bellies.
V
There died a myriad,
And of the best, among them,
For an old bitch gone in the teeth,
For a botched civilization,
Charm, smiling at the good mouth,
Qick eyes gone under earth's lid,
For two gross of broken statues,
For a few thousand battered books.
- Ezra Pound
"Hugh Selwyn Mauberly"