THE LUST OF WAR (POEM)

The media hype of the start of the First World War has come and gone, its attention switched to something anew. SOYMB, however, rarely forgets our past and the bloody consequences of the capitalist system. We reprint this 1914 poem which could well have been written yesterday in regards to Syria or Iraq or countless other battle-grounds around the world . THE LUST OF WAR. From the October 1914 issue of the Socialist Standard Wars and rumours of wars are round about, And hell let loose, and death and dumb despair; The groans of dying men, the victor's shout, Mingle, befouling what was once so fair. I feel again the old contempt arise For men and all men's ways of greed and waste; World-weariness lies heavy on my eyes; The joy of life is bitter to the taste. Is it not tragic, pitiful as well, That men should dabble in their comrades' gore To slake their masters' blood and money-lust; Should suffer all the pains and pangs of hell, Binding their fetters tighter than before, Grinding their faces in the blood and dust. F. J. Webb.