Apr 18, 2023
Death the Reaper
seen from Türkiye
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seen from Malaysia
seen from Malaysia
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seen from China
Death the Reaper
Jul 30 1917 in WWI
IWM (Q 2642) “British soldier sitting in the shell-hole in a gasometer at Nieuport" July 30 1917 by Brooks, Ernest (Lieutenant) (Photographer)
Two soldiers posing near the village of Fricourt captured by the British on the 2nd July 1916. In the centre of the photograph is the remains of the German cemetery established during their occupation of the place.
Between God and no God …
“Lord God, it’s been a while since I’ve talked to you, but now I want to say how do you do. You see God, they tried to tell me you didn’t exist, but I knew better than this. Last night behind sandbags with rockets and mortars flying all over the place, I got a glimpse of your sky, and I knew right then they had told me a lie. Had I taken time to see the things you’d made, I would have known they weren’t calling a spade a spade.
I wonder God if you’ll take my hand. Somehow I know you’ll understand. Funny I had to come to this hellish place before I had time to see your face. Well I guess there’s not much more to say, but lord God, I’m sure glad I met you today. Oh, God. I’ll have to go. I like you lots, I want you to know. Look now, this will be a horrible night. Who knows? I may come to your house tonight, though I wasn’t friendly to you before. I wonder God if you’d wait at your door. Look, I’m crying. I’m shedding tears. I’ll have to go now, God … Goodbye. Strange now since I met you I’m not afraid to die!”
– Ben Fair Vietnam veteran Tet offensive, 1968
“This poem was written by a Vietnam veteran after an experience in a shell hole with rockets and mortars coming in. He had apparently lost contact with God, and that night he made his decision between God and no God … he made the right choice as you will see by this poem he wrote. I had a similar experience when I arrived in Vietnam. I have altered this poem to fit my experience. ~ Ben Fair”
© IWM (Q 87759) German soldiers enjoying a cigarette break in a shell hole in the heavily shelled area on the River Aisne, June 1918.