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The Spectacle Blog
One more thought on the official conclusion to the War in Iraq. As it happens, I am reading Philip Larkin’s Collected Poems (edited by Anthony Thwaite.) While riding back home on the T, after I had written my lament about Iraq, I read this poem which I have read previously but seemed especially germane under the circumstances. Granted it was written more than forty years ago and Larkin passed away more than a quarter century ago. Nevertheless this poem sadly resonates with wisdom. The poem is titled “Homage to a Government”:
Next year we are to bring the soldiers home
For lack of money, and it is all right.
Places they guarded, or kept orderly,
Must guard themselves, and keep themselves orderly.
We want the money for ourselves at home
Instead of working. And this is all right.
It’s hard to say who wanted it to happen,
But now it’s been decided nobody minds
The places are a long way off, not here,
Which is all right, and from what we hear
The soldiers there only made trouble happen
Next year we shall be easier in our minds
Next year we shall be living in a country
That brought its soldiers home for lack of money
The statues will be standing in the same
Tree-muffled squares, and look nearly the same.
Our children will not know it’s a different country.
All we can hope to leave them now is money.
View all comments (6) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/12/16/sad-wisdom-from-philip-larkin
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Reid Smith| 12.16.11 @ 12:22PM
You're in good company.
I remembered this from a way's back.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/.....rnment.asp
Brian L Bedsworth | 12.16.11 @ 2:18PM
Even better company: P.J. O'Rourke used that poem as a prelude to his Peace Kills: America's Fun New Imperialism.
Paul McGrath| 12.16.11 @ 12:37PM
Very nice. Thanks for posting.
Clint| 12.16.11 @ 1:57PM
Dr.Ron Paul,
“The President also defended his unconstitutional intervention in Libya,
authorized not by the United States Congress but by the United Nations,
and announced new plans to pressure Syria and force the leader of that
country to step down.
“Our military is already dangerously extended, and this administration
wants to expand our involvement. When will our bombing in Libya end? Is
President Obama seriously considering military action against Syria? We
are facing $2 trillion dollar deficits, and the American taxpayer cannot
afford any of it.
“Our military’s purpose is to defend our country, not to police the
Middle East."
The Tea Party Rebellion Is Here And In Iowa.
9thID| 12.16.11 @ 3:05PM
We cannot afford to go back in history to the genocide enabling mentality of neo-isolationists like Ron Paul. We will seek peace as we can, but not fear to take the battle to the enemy before they strike our families here at home. I have no regrets about my military service both on the home front and overseas. The Blame America Firsters like Liberal-tarian Ron Paul are seditious and must be kicked out of the GOP like the Birchers were...
Willy| 12.16.11 @ 3:29PM
Kudos to you, Aaron.