THE SAGA OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
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THE SAGA OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR
THE SAGA OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ( July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918) Mars woke to martial gladiators of Europe, But the Gates of Heaven remained barr’d, And the heavenly hosts slept on, Heard not the stomp of marching feet, Nor The Lord of Hosts did intervene. Vulcan raised his hammer once again On his anvil to shape metals into guns, And the furnace that lay unlit, Hecate fann’d into flames. Amidst the threats of blood and smoke , Athena donned her sword and shield, The Snake of War lay by her heel; Themis put away her scales, And no one listened to the Church. Cerberus woke and scratched his fleas. Gleefully Mars clapped his hands , The Keres danced with delight; Zeus balefully grumbled in his beard, As Death sharpened his old scythe; They were all eager for war. The tears of Irene sadly flowed, She wept for starving men, women and children, For Ceres would be raped, And sadly Themis put away her scales. Mars threw a piece of paper in Bosnia, It was the signal to begin the fray. The Archduke Ferdinand aimed to visit, He would assert the power of Austria- Hungary, He would annex Serbia as his territory; At Sarajevo he planned to declare it. The Black Hand would not welcome him , That bit of paper made their members angry, Death to Ferdinand they swore. To defend their sovereignity they plot’ June Eighteen Nineteen Fourteen, lest you forgot. “Flee to save your life!” Potierek cried, One attempt is enough for a day, Highness, your safety I cannot guarantee.” On the road to safety fleeing, Gavrilo Princips shot the Archduke dead. “In Heaven’s name, what has happened to you ?” his wife cried, And fell dead at his feet. “Sopheri, do not die!” he moaned, “Live for the children!” his lips blooded red, Vile Death took their breath away. “You shall arrest the conspirators!” Austria- Hungary demanded of Serbia. “It’s no business of ours!” Serbia replied. “Well then ,to war with you we will have!” Threatened Austria- Hungary. “Let them!” said Russia, Serbia’s friend. Your right we will fight to defend .” This was the July Ultimatum, And the gladiators formed two camps. Mars clapped his hands and roared, As Austria –Hungary with Serbis and Russia Crossed their sharpened swords. Germany set out to hunt the Russian bear, Against Germany a grudge nursed France, Now saw the war as their chance. Germany violated neutral Belgium, Britain was angry and fought the Kaiser; The falling Ottoman wanted a piece of the action. Very soon Russia had a belly-ache , She retired from the fray. Italy and Greece felt they ought to join. Charon kept busy crossing the Styx. Cerberus savagely guarded the gate, Pluto built more room in Hades To house ten million soldiers dead, And four million civilians beside. United States of America saved the day. She fought on the side of the Entende Alliance, In the wars with the Central Powers. Germany beaten signed an Armistice, Paid dearly ,with Austria and Hungary, When the war ended in nineteen eighteen. Led by the Big Three, at Versailles, The Paris Peace treaty was duly signed. And the spoils of war were shared. The four big empires overthrown, Many small states from their runs were formed. “We shall study war no more !” the victors sang, Democracy and Justice shall rule the world, Let Irene cease her flowing tears with smiles. And Themis bring forth her balanced scales. And Ceres to replenish the land. The goddesses of Justice and Peace, Did not note that Mars rubbed his palms together, “We shall see! We shall see!” he said To Pluto , the goddess Enyo and Thanatus, “Mortal men we know too well, They shall not cease to entertain With wasteful and wanton bloodshed. Hades will be occupied, by Cerberus guarded, More millions of them shall cross the Styx, Rowed there by the god Charon. They think a League of Nations Will save the world from wars ; They would wish to be rid of my curse, May the Lord of Heaven have mercy on them, While they replenish their public purse.” Last edited by cousinsoren 11-17-2010 at 05:07:20 PM |
The true philosopher and the true poet are one, and a beauty, which is truth, and a truth, which is beauty, is the aim of both.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet (1803-1882)