Apropå nyheten om att antalet döda amerikaner i kriget mot Irak nu överstiger 1000: en dikt av den brittiske poeten Bernard Spencer. (Dikten är skriven på trettiotalet, vilket är svårt att tro. Historien upprepar sig.)
I read of a thousand killed.
And am glad because the scrounging imperial paw Was there so bitten:
As a man at elections is thrilled
When the results pour in, and the North goes with him And the West breaks in the thaw.
(That fighting was a long way off.)
Forgetting therefore an election
Being fought with votes and lies and catch-cries And orator's frowns and flowers and posters' noise Is paid for with cheques and toys:
Wars the most glorious
Victory-winged and steeple-uproarious
... With the lives, burned-off,
Of young men and boys.
Via Slate,