Tag Archives: conflict

A Death-Bed by Rudyard Kipling

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Russell Boyle

“This is the State above the Law. The State exists for the State alone.” [This is a gland at the back of the jaw, And an answering lump by the collar-bone.] Some die shouting in gas or fire; Some die … Continue reading →

Posted in Kipling Rudyard | Tagged A Death-Bed, cancer of the throat, conflict, death, history, http://russellboyle.com, life, literature, painful, poem, poet, poetry, politics, pressed to death, revenge, Rudyard Kipling, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, slow, Some die eloquent, The Kaiser, This is the State above the Law, war, writing | Leave a comment

Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Russell Boyle

You may talk o’ gin and beer When you’re quartered safe out ’ere, An’ you’re sent to penny-fights an’ Aldershot it; But when it comes to slaughter You will do your work on water, An’ you’ll lick the bloomin’ boots … Continue reading →

Posted in Kipling Rudyard | Tagged conflict, Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling, heroes, history, patriotism, poem, poet, poetry, politics, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, social commentary, war, writing, You may talk o’ gin and beer, You’re a better man than I am | Leave a comment

The Poet As Hero by Siegfried Sassoon

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Russell Boyle

You’ve heard me, scornful, harsh, and discontented, Mocking and loathing War: you’ve asked me why Of my old, silly sweetness I’ve repented— My ecstasies changed to an ugly cry. You are aware that once I sought the Grail, Riding in … Continue reading →

Posted in Sassoon Siegfried | Tagged and discontented, anthology, conflict, death, friends, grieving, harsh, life, literature, loneliness, poem, poet, poetry, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, scornful, sorrow, The Poet As Hero by Siegfried Sassoon, Volume 3, war, writing, You've heard me | 1 Comment

Choose by Carl Sandburg

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Russell Boyle

The single clenched fist lifted and ready, Or the open asking hand held out and waiting. Choose: For we meet by one or the other. Carl Sandburg 1878–1967 Rupture by Russell Boyle

Posted in Sandburg Carl | Tagged aggression, choice, Choose by Carl Sandburg, conflict, enemies, forgiveness, friends, friendship, hatred, literature, poem, poet, poetry, relationships, Rupture, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, The single clenched fist lifted and ready, war, warmth, writing | Leave a comment

The Verdicts by Rudyard Kipling

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Russell Boyle

(Jutland)   1916 Not in the thick of the fight, Not in the press of the odds, Do the heroes come to their height, Or we know the demi-gods. That stands over till peace. We can only perceive Men returned from … Continue reading →

Posted in Kipling Rudyard | Tagged children, conflict, fate, heroes, literature, Not in the thick of the fight, patriotism, poem, poet, poetry, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, The Verdicts by Rudyard Kipling, war, writing | Leave a comment

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Russell Boyle

I’ve heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do you? It goes like this The fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled … Continue reading →

Posted in Cohen Leonard | Tagged acceptance, conflict, confusion, embrace, Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, Hallelujah! Blessed is the name, I've heard there was a secret chord, irreconcilable, mess, moment, poem, poetry, Russell Boyle, russellboyle.com, song, writing | 5 Comments