The Permanence of the Young Men

[anteros_lmc]

For Remembrance Day...

The Permanence of the Young Men by William Soutar, 1898-1943.

No man outlives the grief of war

Comments

[eglantine_br]

A poem that makes a still place inside a person, and soaks in slowly.

One would almost think that the men of Scotland do nothing at all but write astonishing poetry!

[anteros_lmc]

It does soak in doesn't it? I first read this poem 25 years ago and I have remembered it almost word for word ever since.

One would almost think that the men of Scotland do nothing at all but write astonishing poetry!
We are indeed a nation of bards. And drinkers.

[charliecochrane]

That poem makes me think of my dad. That's how he was after WWII, about which he rarely spoke.

Thanks for posting.

[anteros_lmc]

I find this poem so moving in so many way so I'm very happy to be able to share it. I communicates the permanence of loss so beautifully.

[nodbear]

Ditto my dad - cf the piece I have just posted.

They lived with those unseen young men ever afterwards..

and this is so very beautiful .Thank you

[anteros_lmc]

They lived with those unseen young men ever afterwards..
Yes, and I suppose that's how these young men lived on. If even one person remembers them, they live on.

[nodbear]

That is so I think - and what is so particularly great about bringing into the light the Indy's crew - even if only a snapshot of them .
Have just found one of our prize crew as an elderly naval pensioner living in Rotherhithe with wife and daughter - at least I think so !
the unseen young men is such a yearning and powerful image.

[anteros_lmc]

and what is so particularly great about bringing into the light the Indy's crew - even if only a snapshot of them
Indeed. I think the fact than even you and I have read these names again means something. And if we can share those names with more people then so much the better.

Wonderful that you have found another one of the Indy crew living into old age surrounded by family.

the unseen young men is such a yearning and powerful image.
Isn't it? But even in their absence, these young men, real and fictional, have such a powerful impact on the lives of others.

[venusinfurs90]

I do love discovering all these beautiful and entirely moving poems from you. Thank you for sharing this.

[anteros_lmc]

You're very welcome. It's a very simple poem but it speaks volumes in its simplicity. Perhaps that's why it has always stayed with me.

[venusinfurs90]

I find it's usually the simpler poems that speak the most. They get right to the heart of the matter.

[anteros_lmc]

This one particularly so I think. It's stayed with me from the first time I read it.

[vespican]

Very appropriate for the day. (Veteran's Day here in the US)
Also appropriate for Memorial Day (US) next May.
Dave

[anteros_lmc]

It certainly is appropriate.

Soutar served as a midshipman during the Great War but after two years was he invalided out with the chronic condition that saw him bedridden for much of the rest of his life until he died aged 45.