Requiem

Queensland’s state paper, The Courier Mail last week captured the complete sadness, futility and stupidity of la condition humaine:

 “New Aussie-Kiwi force in Iraq – 100 years after Gallipoli – ANZACS GO TO WAR” trumpeted its front page headline. [1]

After a dozen or so wars since the war to end all wars Australians are yet again serving in someone else’s war – this time yet again in the Middle East – a seemingly favourite venue.

As we are told, war is an extension of politics by other means. Not all wars however are the same. So, to the shiny-arsed politicians who play fast and loose with the notion of casus belli, you have my undying contempt.

To those servicemen and women sacrificed in the name of war, I can do no better than offer the following:

A Requiem

Still now the cannon,

Eject from its breech

The rancid shell of war;

Rein in the horses’ riot,

Cleanse the bloodied sword of gore.

Rest now, our heroes,

For you have travailed long;

We honour you in feasting,

And calm your unquiet souls in song.

We say your cause was Noble,

And raise you up in monuments

In memory against the years,

And in the shadow of your sacrifice

May we wash your feet in tears. 

(© John J Coe 15 December 2012)

[1]The Courier Mail. 15 April 2015