Kensington Review

If Only

11 November 2005

The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Veteran’s Day again. Once, it was called “Armistice Day,” recalling that one moment of hope when the War to End All Wars stopped with an armistice -- at 11 am, on November 11, 1918. That didn’t pan out. And so, the following poem, written by a veteran of that conflict, Lieutenant Siegfried Sassoon of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, is dedicated to Judith Miller and the rest American media.

Editorial Impressions

He seemed so certain "all was going well,"
As he discussed the glorious time he'd had
While visiting the trenches.
"One can tell
You've gathered big impressions!" grinned the lad
Who'd been severely wounded in the back
In some wiped-out impossible Attack.
"Impressions? Yes, most vivid! I am writing
A little book called Europe on the Rack,
Based on notes made while witnessing the fighting.
I hope I've caught the feeling of 'the Line'
And the amazing spirit of the troops.
By Jove, those flying-chaps of ours are fine!
I watched one daring beggar looping loops,
Soaring and diving like some bird of prey.
And through it all I felt that splendour shine
Which makes us win."
The soldier sipped his wine.
"Ah, yes, but it's the Press that leads the way!"

© Copyright 2005 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No copyrights are claimed for Mr. Sassoon's work. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.
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