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It had just gone nine at night
when the brick went out.
walking, running,always alert
eyes scanning windows, doorways
looking for danger on these
cold wet city streets,
tension was high.it always was
the brick was used to that
part of everyday life in this place.
the blast when it came
tore the brick apart.
then the crowds gathered to
sing their rebel songs, to
laugh and clap and cheer at the
death of the brick.
ps. sorry but am putting explanation here.
a brick was the term used to identify a group of eight to ten soldiers on foot patrol in N.Ireland but it could be Iraq or Afghanistan today.
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Written by Fledermaus (3470 comments posted) 16th January 2008 | Not a pleasant job I suppose. Wouldn't be my favorite career choice, soldier... On the other hand, I suppose that once one has been there he can place little every day annoyances into a better perspective.
I suddenly wonder: Stories about the Troubles are usually presented from the POV of either para-militaries or victims. Did people also write books/make films from the POV of the British soldiers?
Strange isn't it, that a nation that hardly manages to maintain peace within its own borders should sent soldiers abroad to bring 'peace' to other countries... |
Written by Josie (2844 comments posted) 16th January 2008 | | Yes these BRICKS were born painfully to our world. They were loved and cooed over, celebrated when they slept through the night and could feed themselves, use the toilet and walk. They were applauded for good school reports but above all they were loved as human beings within a human family. Bricks? Then building rubble next. Oh dear - what a dreadful world" I see your point. |
Written by maipenrai (784 comments posted) 16th January 2008 | Flermaus, Rosie thank you both for your comments.
Fledermaus, there have been I believe several books written from the point of view of soldiers but sorry can't give you any titles, your last question is a good one re operations outside the UK, could be several answers to that one, just a quick run through,
history
realpolitik
subservenance of uk goverments to the usa
failure of our eu/nato allies to fulfill their obligated commitments
the list goes on
Josie, thanks, you have in your comments brought out the very real loss to the families.
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Written by margarita (30 comments posted) 16th January 2008 | fledermaus...
People who come from war-torn countries are often the very best to go to other countries promoting peace...and Northern Ireland isn't just one country its very split between three different mindsets so quite naturally maintaining peace within its own boarders becomes blurred when different faculities have very different ideas of where the line is drawn.
I realy like this poem...and agree with Josie that the word brick is thrown into great comparison with rubble....also the dehumanisation of war...we are not men and women we are bricks and mortar....also like how the gang sing there rebel sngs and clap at the brick...the pointlessness is acute.
I really like the syntax here...you get the tension very quickly..the sudden blast then disrupts the flow and this new chaos springs up...
Cheers |
Written by petetheverse (164 comments posted) 16th January 2008 | M,
Hello,
I'm sure that anyone reading this (once they understand 'the brick') can empathise entirely with what you have written. For the public here in England, although they had only the slightest understanding of what you went through (because so much was hidden from us, for political reasons, or simply through a series of low & high key lies), were very much behind you. Nowadays, the common soldier seems to be involved in something which is not of our world; and I think the public are pretty much fed up with people like yourselves being transported like sheep to parts of the world they have no relationship with, and being abandoned, under-armed, to defend themselves.
If Gordon Brown has an atom of sense he will disengage as soon as possible; or feel the consequences at the ballot box.
Anyway, to return to what you have written - I think there's a slight error in the second stanza, which has the word 'was' twice in the last few lines. Otherwise, it is a very strong piece, and gives a strong sense of a small part of what you endured to those of us who were shielded (by you) from reality.
I think, maybe, that you could add to this, in fact; with further descriptions. Although as it stands it is very pwerful.
Alternatively, you could, perhaps, write a little series of this type of poem, linking them together as a whole.
Just a thought.
PTV | hi
Written by maipenrai (784 comments posted) 20th January 2008 | Margarita and Pete , Thank you both for your comments.
this in it's first life was a flash poem on another site.
Pete, a good consructive review,as for Iraq/ Afghanistan I go along with you, if in the future we continue along this road we need to increase the size of the armed forces, far, far to small at the moment.
Bernie |
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