Dulce Bellum Inexpertis

A Salute to Wilfred Owen. Translations at bottom of poem.

(For Wilfred Owen)


The Old Lie,
You called it
"Dulce et decorum
est pro patria mori*"

I didn't heed.

Rushed past
racing
for honor
for duty
to touch my father's life.

Now I clutch at
bloody sand
faded pictures
old dog tags
bent awry
like me.

I choke on
"The Star Spangled Banner"
like uncles and old men
arranged around
park benches.

And I reply
Dulce Bellum Inexpertis**

* It is right and proper to give one's life for one's country
** War is beautiful to the inexperienced