Remember our innocence

[Bluecheese]

Remember Our Innocence

( A reflection on WW1)

Eagerly they accepted the King’s shilling,

Fresh-faced youths responded to the call.

Most caught up in fervent patriotic naivety,

Keenly anticipating a glorious adventure.

Soon nationalistic fantasy confronted grim reality,

Youthful idealism was swiftly obliterated

Amidst a Hellorama of mud, screams and gore.

Those long dead boys call to the living,

When our war is a dusty recollection

Our motives misrepresented and misunderstood,

Please Remember Our Innocence.

RJG

 

[Sue J Love]

Remember Our Innocence

( A reflection on WW1)

Eagerly they accepted the King’s shilling,

Fresh-faced youths responded to the call.

Most caught up in fervent patriotic naivety,

Keenly anticipating a glorious adventure.

Soon nationalistic fantasy confronted grim reality,

Youthful idealism was swiftly obliterated

Amidst a Hellorama of mud, screams and gore.

Those long dead boys call to the living,

When our war is a dusty recollection

Our motives misrepresented and misunderstood,

Please Remember Our Innocence.

RJG

Could you explain the last 4 lines?

 

[Bluecheese]

Since WW1 there has been a lot of criticism of gung ho attitude, no doubt rightly so. Many of the young men who joined up were naïve and thought they were going to have an adventure. They were used as cannon fodder by the those running the campaign, with no care or thought to their safety. Those who were suffering stress and mental problems caused by the hell they were experiencing were often shot for cowardice if they retreated.

 

[Sue J Love]

Since WW1 there has been a lot of criticism of gung ho attitude, no doubt rightly so. Many of the young men who joined up were naïve and thought they were going to have an adventure. They were used as cannon fodder by the those running the campaign, with no care or thought to their safety. Those who were suffering stress and mental problems caused by the hell they were experiencing were often shot for cowardice if they retreated.

Thank you for the explanation.