O Earth - Response to page 55

Author’s Note: After reading chapter 4 in Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, I was particularly inspired by the last three paragraphs on page 55. Remarque’s diction and beautiful imagery help to create a heavenly sanctuary for the soldiers, when in reality it is quite the opposite. The beauty of war; however, was not the main point that I took out of the reading. The fact that as life nearly flashes before one’s eyes, as life’s end draws near on the battle field; one must take a moment to realize the blessings that life brings along with it and take notice of even the smallest of details. That was my inspiration because that is what holds the truth. The breathtaking imagery on this page also inspired me to include a mimic line and I hope I may do Remarque even the smallest bit of justice.

Gun shots firing, gas masks flying, soldiers throwing themselves upon the barren ground; I run for cover. Desperately seeking even the smallest bit of shelter, a grave, a hole, a body, to protect me from the savages that maneuver the fields before me; to protect me from the savages who run frantically, killing everything in sight, only in hopes to save themselves. This is not how war should be! Soldiers should be ones to help, to save, to heal. Not ones to simply slaughter all of mankind!

I find refuge in a rundown home, for now a safe haven from the evilness that progresses about me and soon find that I, myself am not the only one. A British soldier stares blankly back at me, slowly raising his gun – his only protection – from the dirt floor, and aims as I reach to do the same. He is no match for me: smaller, shorter, and much weaker. He is clearly not a product of German boot camp. I prepare for fire as I feel a shot from behind. Tumbling down, I turn to see yet another British soldier breathing in the smoke from his own gun. O Earth, thou receives back one of your own powerless men after short-lived life. Embrace me in your loving arms and catch me as I fall back into you. Wrap me in your warm caress and find in me new life. Forgive me for all my sins, for I know that I have failed you.

“O Earth, thou grandest us the great resisting surge of new-won life.” (55)

Living in the Unknown

Author's Note: I wrote this piece from the perspective of a soldier from the novel All Quiet on the Western Front. The boys came into the war not expecting it to turn out the way that it did. They believe that now that they are off at war, they are superior to all those around them, when in reality they are just 18 year old boys, who rid themselves of their innocence and thrust themselves into experience with the constant death, and gruesomeness that surrounds them. The power thirsty men that they take shelter with, help them to create images of a peaceful meadow to take away from their brutal surroundings; each of these occurrences inspiring my response from chapters 1-3.

Along to war I take, a gun, my dignity,
The life I chose to make
A greenhorn on the battle field
My imagination remains my most powerful shield

Creating perfect pictures of the life I wish to live,
Swaying grasses, clear blue skies,
A gift that nature continues to give
Yesterday at home - loved, and sheltered,
I left, leaving my innocence behind
Opening new doors,

New opportunities,

Opening new eyes

Men whom I have grown to hate,
Power thirsty savages determining their own fate
Sickness spreading, diseases unknown
Please dear lord, let me go back home.