The Gurkha Officer [revised]
-
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
The Gurkha Officer [revised]
Troops turn out from Pune Garrison
to quell the riots. Times of India 1982
For one instant his eyes meet mine,
intelligence and focus shine, reflect
a god that cannot ever be mine. He wears
Empire khaki with the bush hat
of his regiment, a Sam Browne across
a starched shirt, his shorts neatly pressed.
He is handsome with black moustache
in sharp contrast to his tanned skin
he stands at the crossroads directing
his men, his baton points, like a rapier.
He utters a command, a rioter falls,
like Capa’s ‘Falling Soldier’
He turns to my driver and points
the way, we speed off crunching
glass. I watch, through the rear window
his precise automaton movements
that mete out death. He is an Arjuna
a warrior prince and master archer
when instructed by Krishna in dharma,
in holy duty to kill. “Now I am become
Death, destroyer of worlds”
******
to quell the riots. Times of India 1982
For one instant his eyes meet mine,
intelligence and focus shine, reflect
a god that cannot ever be mine. He wears
Empire khaki with the bush hat
of his regiment, a Sam Browne across
a starched shirt, his shorts neatly pressed.
He is handsome with black moustache
in sharp contrast to his tanned skin
he stands at the crossroads directing
his men, his baton points, like a rapier.
He utters a command, a rioter falls,
like Capa’s ‘Falling Soldier’
He turns to my driver and points
the way, we speed off crunching
glass. I watch, through the rear window
his precise automaton movements
that mete out death. He is an Arjuna
a warrior prince and master archer
when instructed by Krishna in dharma,
in holy duty to kill. “Now I am become
Death, destroyer of worlds”
******
-
- Posts: 2692
- Joined: 03 Jun 2016, 21:03
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Well polished, lovely writing
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Yes, good writing. I like it all very much except for the wrapping up at the end. It seems a little too grand. But maybe just me and I just read this so I might change my mind after a few readings.
-
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: 14 May 2011, 20:30
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Reads well. Nicely worked poem.
-
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Thanks to you both, very kind of you.
-
- Posts: 1619
- Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Agree with all the above. The quote at the end is made famous after Oppenheimer said it when the first bike was exploded
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Yes, it reads well, makes me ashamed I don’t know more about history. As an artist however I did get the Capa reference. I especially like Capa’s photo of a dead sparrow in the snow, not one of his war images, but just as meaningful.
-
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Thanks Ken, exploding bikes can be a problem.
Openhiemer never did ride a bike after this.
You are not expectd to know anything about history for this Dale, it's a personal
account, with a bit about Openhiemer, Hindu religion and a travel log of India.
Thanks for input.
Openhiemer never did ride a bike after this.
You are not expectd to know anything about history for this Dale, it's a personal
account, with a bit about Openhiemer, Hindu religion and a travel log of India.
Thanks for input.
-
- Posts: 1619
- Joined: 01 Jun 2008, 09:17
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Lol I meant to say first nuke
-
- Posts: 4
- Joined: 10 Oct 2018, 12:47
Re: The Gurkha Officer
the poem is an easy read, I like the portrait of the soldier. nice work.
-
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: 02 Mar 2016, 18:07
- Location: Between the mountains and the sea
Re: The Gurkha Officer
Thanks all for work shopping.
I have taken Billy's point about the ending,
and agree, I have changed it somewhat
and I think it is better because of that.
The newest revision is on the top.
I have taken Billy's point about the ending,
and agree, I have changed it somewhat
and I think it is better because of that.
The newest revision is on the top.