What was war back then? What do we all think of war? Do we think positively or negatively towards it? How was war, represented back then in contrast to the image we are currently vividly portrayed? A personal, intensive, thorough and individual method of answering these questions and graphically depicting these times is a personal favourite of mine, poetry. One famous poet, that I will be discussing today, is A.E Tomlinson. Tomlinson was a solider in the Second World War, and more importantly, was a prisoner of war. He was a private from the 2/19th Australian Infantry Battalion. His service number was QX23203.
Tomlinson was one of the millions of soldiers who wrote poems whilst on the battlefield. He was one of the few who actually managed …show more content…
This is clearly portrayed in Tomlinson’s “Manslaughter Morning”. In this poem, I believe that within these words, the story of a damaged and frightened soldier is found, and we hear his graphic and terrifying recollection of the events he suffered through, at Massacre Wood and The Battle of Somme (Also known as the Somme offensive) whilst being stationed in the war. Personally, I believe that this is a tremendously brave and astonishing way to write poetry. Many soldiers and casualties of war are constantly haunted by the graphic images and trauma that was so forcefully exposed to them and it’s one thing to even begin to explain in detail such situations. This definitely adds to the general story and understanding of the …show more content…
I believe that Tomlinson wrote this poem for release. Release from the firm and steady grasp that the hands of graphic and horrific images from war had on him. In his poem he depicts it so thoroughly it is as if he is describing every single second as he saw it with his own eyes. “I see a sentry shoot his best friend’s face away.” “The explosion blows his back out”. These situations and terrifying instances have been witnessed with Tomlinson’s very own two eyes. For most soldiers who witnessed such situations, madness knocked on their doorstep. Haunting nightmares and thoughts awake them. Possibly and most probably, the only way for Tomlinson to release and or supress his fears, was just too simply and honestly write about
Tomlinson was one of the millions of soldiers who wrote poems whilst on the battlefield. He was one of the few who actually managed …show more content…
This is clearly portrayed in Tomlinson’s “Manslaughter Morning”. In this poem, I believe that within these words, the story of a damaged and frightened soldier is found, and we hear his graphic and terrifying recollection of the events he suffered through, at Massacre Wood and The Battle of Somme (Also known as the Somme offensive) whilst being stationed in the war. Personally, I believe that this is a tremendously brave and astonishing way to write poetry. Many soldiers and casualties of war are constantly haunted by the graphic images and trauma that was so forcefully exposed to them and it’s one thing to even begin to explain in detail such situations. This definitely adds to the general story and understanding of the …show more content…
I believe that Tomlinson wrote this poem for release. Release from the firm and steady grasp that the hands of graphic and horrific images from war had on him. In his poem he depicts it so thoroughly it is as if he is describing every single second as he saw it with his own eyes. “I see a sentry shoot his best friend’s face away.” “The explosion blows his back out”. These situations and terrifying instances have been witnessed with Tomlinson’s very own two eyes. For most soldiers who witnessed such situations, madness knocked on their doorstep. Haunting nightmares and thoughts awake them. Possibly and most probably, the only way for Tomlinson to release and or supress his fears, was just too simply and honestly write about