Springfield
Active member
If anyone has seen the movie "Memphis Belle", there's a poem that the guy named Danny reads to all of his crew members right before they fly their 25th and final mission. The whole poem, I don't think, was actually used in the movie. He only recited parts of it. Also, the poem wasn't even written during World War 2. It was written during World War 1 by an Irish soldier I'm pretty sure. I think this is one of my favorite war poems. I dunno if any of you like em, but I just think they sound cool. Anyways, here it is if you wanna read it:
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight, I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.
W.B.Yeats, 1865 - 1939
An Irish Airman Foresees His Death
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight, I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.
W.B.Yeats, 1865 - 1939