Under an English Heaven 10x20"
Rupert Brooke, one of the WWI poets wrote The Soldier in 1914, the next year he died on a hospital ship on its way to Gallippoli and was buried on Skyros one of the Greek islands. Thus, fulfilling the prophecy set forth in the poem.
If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England.
There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.
This piece will be a new addition to The Pity of War
when it goes on exhibition at Linnaea's Cafe in San Luis Obispo
during the month of July.
The pity of war has been on most of our minds, reflecting on Memorial Day. I am glad to know your collected works will have further chance for viewing. Brooke, through his writing and his life, has given us a legacy of duty, honor, loss and the questions that war continues to raise.
ReplyDeleteMarylinn - I'm thrilled that the show will have another venue so more people can see it. And it was great to have the chance to do a few more pieces on the same theme.
ReplyDeleteErin
this is a great addition. I love this, Erin. Really touching.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the exact dates?
Chris - The month of July, and the cafe is open from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM, so super easy access - a lot more people should see it than at the other venue.
ReplyDeleteErin