Furnley Maurice
I.
We have been dead, our shroud enfolds the sea,
Honor’s a rag tossed out for winds to rend,
And Virtue is most shamed and Lust goes free:
And trembling Wisdom vainly seeks a friend.
Our heroes lost in trenches or the sea
Are dust or rag but no more clay than we,
For we once set ourselves the frightful task
Of healing delicate wounds with blazing brands.
Oh God, look not upon our souls nor ask
That we display the colour of these hands,
But help us that we consecrate to Thee
The remnant of our poor humanity.
II.
We have been cruel in thought. Life’s not so sweet
With pearls and pleasures that the race should set
Its ardour to destruction. Brutal feet
Crush down the roses. God, let us forget
That we accused of barbarous intent
The foe that lies in death magnificent.
How can we hate forever, having proved
All men are bright and brave and somewhere loved?
How can men hate forever? We who have slain
The dread of death shall kill the hate from hell,
Our bodies grown superior to pain,
Our hearts shall learn the love ineffable.
O foeman who was valorous, we crave
Forgiveness for the crimes we would forgive.
All men have sinned, but God made all men brave.
We ask forgiveness by this deep choked grave,
And a little time, a little time to live,
A little time to live and forget in the world
The years of swords and horrors we repent.
Forget the doom and shrieking curses hurled
On foes that lie in death magnificent.
O God, men did not know men were so brave
Till foes stood silent by the deep choked grave.
You can read the rest of the poem on the archive.org site
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem grapples with the devastating moral and emotional consequences of war, offering a raw reflection on humanity’s fallibility, bravery, and hope for redemption. It doesn’t shy away from the grim truths of violence and destruction, but instead uses them as a lens to examine human nature. The language is weighted with sorrow and regret, balanced by a yearning for forgiveness and a better future.
In the first part, the poem confronts the loss of ideals. Concepts like honor and virtue are reduced to shreds, rendered meaningless in the face of brutal conflict. The image of “healing delicate wounds with blazing brands” stands out as a powerful indictment of war’s contradictions—trying to fix a broken world with tools of destruction. It’s as if the speaker is asking for divine absolution not because they feel deserving, but because they have nothing left to give except their broken humanity.
The second part shifts to a reflection on cruelty and reconciliation. It acknowledges the shared suffering of all sides, with “foes that lie in death magnificent” described in a way that elevates their sacrifice while exposing the futility of hatred. There’s a poignant humility in the line, “How can we hate forever, having proved / All men are bright and brave and somewhere loved?” This realization cuts through the propaganda and dehumanization that fuel conflict, replacing it with a recognition of universal dignity.
The poem’s turning point lies in its plea for forgiveness—both for the wrongs committed and as a way to heal. The repetition of “a little time, a little time to live” underscores the fragility of peace and the urgency to rebuild what war has destroyed. The shared bravery of soldiers, even enemies, becomes a bridge to mutual understanding and a foundation for hope. The “deep choked grave” is a symbol of both loss and connection, uniting all who have suffered under war’s shadow.
What makes this poem so moving is its honesty. It doesn’t seek to glorify war or justify its horrors. Instead, it seeks redemption through acknowledgment of shared humanity and the courage it takes to forgive. The tone is weary but resolute, offering a quiet hope that even after unimaginable loss, people can choose compassion over hatred.
Ultimately, the poem challenges the reader to reflect on the cost of conflict and the possibility of healing. It’s not just about soldiers or nations—it’s about the collective responsibility of humanity to rise above its worst instincts. The poem’s plea for “a little time to live and forget” isn’t about erasing the past but about finding a way to move forward, carrying the lessons of bravery, sacrifice, and forgiveness into a more peaceful future.