The Redeemer

By Siegfried Sassoon

We lugged our clay-sucked boots as best we might   
Darkness: the rain sluiced down; the mire was deep;   
It was past twelve on a mid-winter night,
Horror and pain, not uncontent to die   

Along the trench; sometimes a bullet sang,   

When peaceful folk in beds lay snug asleep;   

There, with much work to do before the light,   

We lugged our clay-sucked boots as best we might   

Along the trench; sometimes a bullet sang,   

And droning shells burst with a hollow bang;   

We were soaked, chilled and wretched, every one;   

Darkness; the distant wink of a huge gun.

I turned in the black ditch, loathing the storm;   

A rocket fizzed and burned with blanching flare,   

And lit the face of what had been a form   

Floundering in mirk. He stood before me there;   

I say that He was Christ; stiff in the glare,   

And leaning forward from His burdening task,   

Both arms supporting it; His eyes on mine   

Stared from the woeful head that seemed a mask   

Of mortal pain in Hell’s unholy shine.

No thorny crown, only a woollen cap

He wore—an English soldier, white and strong,   

Who loved his time like any simple chap,   

Good days of work and sport and homely song;   

Now he has learned that nights are very long,   

And dawn a watching of the windowed sky.   

But to the end, unjudging, he’ll endure   

Horror and pain, not uncontent to die   

That Lancaster on Lune may stand secure.

He faced me, reeling in his weariness,

Shouldering his load of planks, so hard to bear.   

I say that He was Christ, who wrought to bless   

All groping things with freedom bright as air,   

And with His mercy washed and made them fair.   

Then the flame sank, and all grew black as pitch,   

While we began to struggle along the ditch;   

And someone flung his burden in the muck,   

Mumbling: ‘O Christ Almighty, now I’m stuck!’

        In my opinion this poem is extremely soulful and relevant to the book "All Quiet On the Western Front" .  This poem has alot on the living style and conditions in the trenches. It shows the emotion and the feel of WWI. They sheer darkness and not knowing what to expect, however stating that it was peaceful when they were sleeping. There was a quote saying "horror and pain...." which says to me the terrible and scary lifestyle that was presented to them ear day. It deeply saddens and sickens me to think that human being were, and still to a sense are dealing with this today. It is incredibly surreal to think that while i live my life like i do every day, there are man and women dealing and living in these ridiculous conditions to protect their countries. This poem greatly exhibits strength, honor, and persistence and for that i admire this poem!

This poster would catch the attention of younger men, it makes you look heroic and like a strong figure. They would appeal to them because all young men seek respect and power, by joining the army the would be honored and look as powerful as the men in this picture! This would also appeal to those who are conspiring to be on top, the way they say "land and the sea" they would be on top! Because there are flags this shows nationalism and represents america and is interesting to those with pride in their country!


This is a poster made by the germans. In one hand this man is holding a sword and his other hand is wrapped around his wife and baby. This is appealing to the family man, which is showing that he can be the dominant one in the family  and impress and protect his people. This makes these type of men look valiant and fearless, capable of anything. 

WWI

Something that stood out to me about WWI is their lack of tactics and strategies. This was a more modern war and they used some advanced things such as guns with 20 mile range, machine guns, mustard gas, chlorine gas, and others. The fact that they were living out of trenches was a true realization of the conditions they were facing, extremely poor hygiene and danger at all times! It really was weird to see how outdated their clothes and utensils are in comparison to the men presently in the war. There was so many people killed it was incredible, and because of that i was surprised so many people wanted and were completely willing to fight and insert themselves in these types of situations. They were young and had potential and this war definitely shifted the way these places evolved and advanced, effecting how the world has come to be currently. About 9 million people's lives were taken in this war which is an incredibly high number for 4 years. This put everything in perspective for me and i have a better and more literal understanding WWI.

Keeping Things WholeBy Mark Strand

In a field

I am the absence

of field.

This is

always the case.

Wherever I am

I am what is missing.

When I walk

I part the air

and always

the air moves in   

to fill the spaces

where my body’s been.

We all have reasons

for moving.

I move

to keep things whole.

----------------------------------------------------------

This poem to me seems in a way depressing, I do however think it is beautiful. I think this poem means that you can't find yourself no matter where you are. The line  "This is always the case. Wherever i am i am what is missing", to me means that no matter where this person is that they can't find themselves, that may be due to many different reasons. I find myself lost and feeling this way sometimes as well. Everyone has some doubt in who they are when they are young and trying to figure out what they are going to be and where they are going to go. This makes me feel like i am not the only one who looses themselves sometimes and that it truly is difficult to find yourself in this world.

Gilgamesh

       Enkidu was created to make Gilgamesh more human. Prior to Enkidu's creation Gilgamesh was more insensitive and didn't really think about things the same way. Enkidu thought that taking all the virginities of the brides was wrong, Gilgamesh wouldn't have thought twice about it if it weren't for him. The differences between a human being and a non human are substantial. Humans have feelings and different physical characteristics, Gilgamesh was two thirds god which i suppose could be the reason for his extreme strength and huge figure, Enkidu was two thirds animal one third human which was made to balance out Gilgamesh.
        When Gilgamesh turned down sexual interaction with the goddess i think it said a lot about him, the fact that he had the mind set that he wanted to be human rather then more so god from being with the goddess, showed that he had changed. I think the old Gilgamesh would have absolutely taken the opportunity to have that happen, but the fact that he chose not to to be more human took emotion. Emotion that he hadn't shown before, a completely new side of him which i believe was brought out because of Enkidu. Both Enkidu and Gilgamesh are different from the average human being, they are extraordinary!

ALONE. by: edgar allen poe

ALONE by: edgar allen poe

From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring—
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow—I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone—
And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—
Then—in my childhood—in the dawn
Of a most stormy life—was drawn
From ev’ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still—
From the torrent, or the fountain—
From the red cliff of the mountain—
From the sun that ’round me roll’d
In its autumn tint of gold—
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass’d me flying by—
From the thunder, and the storm—

From ev’ry depth of good and ill

The mystery which binds me still—

From the torrent, or the fountain—

From the red cliff of the mountain—

From the sun that ’round me roll’d

In its autumn tint of gold—

From the lightning in the sky

As it pass’d me flying by—

(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view—

From ev’ry depth of good and ill

The mystery which binds me still—

From the torrent, or the fountain—

From the red cliff of the mountain—

From the sun that ’round me roll’d

In its autumn tint of gold—

From the lightning in the sky

As it pass’d me flying by—

From the thunder, and the storm—

----------------------------------------------------------------------
      To me this poem is inspiring! I love the rhythm and clever wording towards the end. I see this as talking about living your life different then everyone else, being an individual. Maybe not a very bright individual, but one that feels that they have experienced things differently. More lonesome and not as joy filled. This makes me think that even is everyone doesn't feel the same emotions, that they can still get some knowledge out of life and what life has to offer. The poem made me feel sad for the person that feels this way, but i feel they are strong! Very very strong!
      The lines "From ev’ry depth of good and ill

The mystery which binds me still—

From the torrent, or the fountain—

From the red cliff of the mountain—

From the sun that ’round me roll’d

In its autumn tint of gold—

From the lightning in the sky

As it pass’d me flying by—

From the thunder, and the storm—" are my favorite part of the poem. Part of that is just because they sound good and they are smooth. But a part is how they show examples of how far and wide this emotion is. I can relate because i think everyone feels lonely from time to time or feels they are different. Different isn't a bad thing but i love the way this poem examples these things.

A tear on my pillow by David G Teves

When I lay and think, in my bed at night, the day you'll arrive, seems nowhere in sight. I toss and I turn, dreaming of you, opening my eye's... checking if my dream came true. It didn't, again, and a tear starts to roll, weeping quietly... my pillow I hold. Many sleepless nights I've prayed for you, my love. God touched my soul from heaven above He's answered my prayers for my bride to be. I've never felt this lucky, God did this for me. That's a question I asked each and every night. He must think your special, Joy, and I know he's right. No other has made me feel so complete, my whole life was lived, just so we could meet. All these thoughts and more going through my head. I fall asleep not worrying, but dreaming of you... instead.

This poem to me is inspiring. The obvious love that is shown astonishes me. The passion and the devotion convinces me that i too can find that in somebody. The wording isn't cliche and it speaks to me. This is pretty personal, but i have a long distance boyfriend in college for over a year so i can so easily relate the the feeling of loneliness and missing somebody. The feeling is so true and pure i can feel the pain and desire. The lack of anger but just gently dreaming of someone. This poem is great and makes me feel happy and that other people feel the same as i do.

The line that i love the " i fall asleep not worrying, but dreaming of you instead" i feel that way every night and it is just a feeling of hope that one day things will be easier and the love will conspire the distance to be diminished and just to love people no matter what the circumstances and to just believe that things can work out.