After commenting on one of Bruce’s blog entries, I was reminded of a poem called “The Flyting betwixt Montgomery and Polwart”. I tried to find a handy copy to refresh my memory, but instead I ran into an odd article in Folklore:

At all events the British Association has more than once taken note of them, and has not gone so far as the Russian Commissary of Education, who has announced that all mention of fairies, angels, or devils in fairy tales is to be supplanted by the words “scientists and technicians who have served humanity.” Whether these partake the nature of angels or of devils, or incline more to that of fairies, I leave you to judge.

My thought exactly.

I wish I could find that old poem by Alexander Mongomerie.

JUNGLE TRACK SONG
by Mike Subritzky 1972
28th ANZUK Regiment

A tribute to Ross H and the men of Victor 1 Company RNZIR, Viet Nam

Where’s me fuckin’ rifle?
Where’s me fuckin’ pack?
Where’s me fuckin’ webbing?
and – where’s the fuckin’ track?

I’m sick of fuckin’ walkin’!
I’m sick of fuckin’ rain!
I’m sick of fuckin’ jungle bashing!
and – I’m doin’ it a-fuckin’-gain!

It’s full of fuckin’ noises!
It’s full of fuckin’ birds!
It’s full of fuckin’ snakes and shit!
and – it’s full of fuckin’ lurgs!

I hate the fuckin’ Army!
I hate the fuckin’ Camp!
I hate the fuckin’ RSM!
and – I hate this fuckin’ tramp!

Another fuckin’ contact!
Another fuckin’ war!
Another fuckin’ body count!
and – another fuckin’ score!

So – where’s me fuckin’ rifle?
me fuckin’ webbing too!
I’ve found me fuckin’ discharge docs!
and – I’M FUCKIN’ SHOOTIN’ THROUGH!

Source

New Zealand War Poetry

my take on a typical american memorial event:

We love fire on food,
rolling shishkabobs again.
Wonderful heat source

perhaps a somber theme would be more appropriate:

Gathering bones
on Hiroshima’s burnt earth
under the blazing sun

i am not a fan of the rah-rah “greatest military on earth” poetry.