January 6, 2012

Selections from "Epitaphs of the War, 1914-1918" by Rudyard Kipling

A member of the U.S. military visits Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day 2007. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
From Slate.com






AN ONLY SON 
I have slain none except my Mother.
She (Blessing her slayer) died of grief for me.


EX-CLERK 
Pity not! The Army gave
Freedom to a timid slave:
In which Freedom did he find
Strength of body, will, and mind:
By which strength he came to prove
Mirth, Companionship, and Love:
For which Love to Death he went:
In which Death he lies content. 


COMMON FORM 
If any question why we died,
Tell them, because our fathers lied.


A DEAD STATESMAN 
I could not dig: I dared not rob:
Therefore I lied to please the mob.
Now all my lies are proved untrue
And I must face the men I slew.
What tale shall serve me here among
Mine angry and defrauded young?