Looking Up Old Friends
February 1st, 2009 at 11:42 pm by Zacque
Tags: hitchcock photographic, photography, veterans, washington d.c.
I was looking through some of the prints I had made over the years and found this.
Tags: hitchcock photographic, photography, veterans, washington d.c.
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 am
What is it? A war memorial?
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Vietnam
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:23 am
Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. It is my mothers reflection, as she points out a neighbor friend she grew up with.
February 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Yeah – that place really has a vibe.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Is your mother a redhead? Nice pic btw
February 4th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
OMG, ubermouth, you are so fucking stupid!
February 4th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Amen to those who were never truly honored with what they deserve. I honor all 58,226 of you…and thank you.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Ubermouth, the point is everyone involved lost someone, part of someone, or was significantly touched by that blemish in history. Whether my mother is a redhead is not the point.
Much like the point of the Stephen Crane’s War is Kind; war is definitely not anything like what we imagine nor is it a nice thing on any front. The nature of conflict is the reason why it needs to be avoided. In short, no one wins.
Stephen Crane — War is Kind
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind.
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment,
Little souls who thirst for fight,
These men were born to drill and die.
The unexplained glory flies above them,
Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom —
A field where a thousand corpses lie.
Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.
Because your father tumbled in the yellow trenches,
Raged at his breast, gulped and died,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.
Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
References: Crane, Stephen. “Poet’s Corner – Stephen Crane – War is Kind” 2001. Poet’s Corner. 5 February 2009.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Zacque,
Well-chosen poem to illustrate your point. The photograph does mesh nicely with Crane’s words, doesn’t it?
February 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Wildcat-You ignorant bitch. What do you want me to do, mediate at the memorial until I WILL the dead soldiers back to life? What modicum of good has your response to this shrine done for anyone slain soldier-you moron!
It’s a poignant picture because of the personal sadness of this author’s mother having to go to a war memorial to look up her old friend. That was the more ‘personal element’ I saw than the expected generic response,you fucking philistine!