Arlington West

These Fought In Any Case by Ezra Pound

These fought in any case,

and some believing , "pro domo" (for homeland) in any case....

Some quick to arm,

some for adventure

some from fear of weakness

some from fear of censure,

some for love of slaughter, in imagination,

learning later.....

some in fear, learning love of slaughter;

Died some, pro patria (for one's country)

Non "Dulce" non "et decor" (not sweet and not fitting)

walked eye-deep in Hell

believing in old men's lies, then unbelieving

came home, home to a lie

home to many deceits,

home to old lies and new infamy

usury age old and age thick

and liars in public places

Daring as never before, wastage as never before.

Young blood and high blood,

Fair cheeks and fine bodies;

fortitude as never before

frankness as never before

disillusions as never told in the old days,

hysterics, trench confessions,

laughter out of dead bellies......

I took these pictures of Arlington West a couple years ago and just found them again. I wish I could say things were different now and that Arlington West should serve as a reminder of what we went through....sadly we are still losing our soldiers over seas. I hope the world turns and things get better, but what I hope for most of all is that all these young men and women are not forgotten because we as a free society are in debt to them forever for their sacrifice. Our feelings on the war do not matter when it comes to our veterans. DO NOT mistake the war for our warriors.... please treat them with the dignity and compassion and above all with thanks!