Anthem for Doomed Youth

Background Music: Lament by All Angels

Once in a while, I like to post the works of poets whose words inspire me. Without literature, my mind would lie barren. Here is a famous poem written in World War 1, by Wilfred Owen, called 'Anthem for Doomed Youth'. Think deep and let every metaphor set your thoughts aflame.

Anthem for Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

...

Untitled Dreams

Background Music: Speed of Sound by Coldplay

Words. They seem to quench an undying thirst inside of me. When I read a novel, my hands quiver with the love I feel towards every syllable, every comma. These words stand plain and lifeless until they are opened, and like a flower, they bloom in our minds and nourish our existence.

I need it. Even if I consciously avoid it, I can feel my tongue forming words inside my mouth, my thoughts aligning themselves into words, sentences, paragraphs. There is no moment more romantic than that. You are barely aware of your surroundings yet the world inside your head throbs with purpose and meaning.

Do you realise that when you die, all that anchor you are your yellowing manuscripts? The untouched manuscripts pages which live for you, exist for you. Emotions you thought you were never capable of drip out, like tears, a fountain of truth and lies. Because for us, illusions and reality are childhood friends that link arms and walk the paths of our imagination.

I can feel the unhesitant footsteps entering my soul, and encouraging me to run. Run forever in the fields of language, the stars of expression, the winds of freedom...all controlled by the tides of inspiration.

I am submerged in the waves.