Defeat, Witter Bynner

[ashoakandthorn]

On a train in Texas German prisoners eat
With white American soldiers, seat by seat,
While black American soldiers sit apart,
The white men eating meat, the black men heart.
Now, with that other war a century done,
Not the live North but the dead South has won,
Not yet a riven nation comes awake.
Whom are we fighting this time, for God's sake?
Mark well the token of the separate seat
It is again ourselves whom we defeat.

Comments

[winter156.livejournal.com]

This is such an intense piece of poetry. I really like it.

[ashoakandthorn]

It is, I came across it recently in a collection of world war two poems, and well, it brought back a lot of topics that I'd discussed with people through a variety of classes and mediums.

[winter156.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, it feels like we still live in a society like the one the poet himself live in. With the exception of socioeconomic class being the ostracizing factor and not skin color.

[ashoakandthorn]

It's not all gone yet, even now.

It's so easy to be cynical and jaded with the way the world is.

[winter156.livejournal.com]

I do realize racism is still absolutely an issue, but it's definitely not as big an issue as it used to be.

As long as there's someone willing to stand up for what's right, I think the world will continue to change for the better.

[ashoakandthorn]

Which is something to be glad for. It's wonderful to see those distinctions get more and more worn down. It's still a sensitive issue to some, of course, but many things are, and to avoid them all in order to not offend anyone? Nothing would ever really be talked about.

And if someone's brave enough to take the first step, they'll find many who support them.

[winter156.livejournal.com]

And that is why I love literature. It is where sensitive subjects are discussed and disseminated. Where courage is bolstered and where ideas born in the hearts of revolutionaries are nurtured.

Poignant

[mirmusing.livejournal.com]

and still, alas, valid today. M

[ashoakandthorn]

Quite.

And one of those works that breaks your heart with how true it is.

[jesuslovesbono.livejournal.com]

wow.
was this from the WWII era?

[ashoakandthorn]

This is from the WW2 era, yes.

[jesuslovesbono.livejournal.com]

thanks.

[lyryk.livejournal.com]

That's amazing. Thank you for sharing.