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"17 March - a Very Gallant Gentleman"

He was no Irishman,
But being a Catholic, found his army niche
In an Irish-named regiment (Inniskillin Dragoons)...

A cavalryman,
Whose last and greatest journey was accomplished,
Not on saddle, not upon tortured feet
(Though, later, plauditing artists would show him walking)
But crawling...

A man of honour,
Prepared to sacrifice self for others, aware
That the sacrifice might well prove tragically fruitless
(As, indeed, it did)...

A man of divided ideals:
The soldier's code that a gun will "end it cleanly"
And his Church's condemnation of felo-de-se...


A man (hero rather), who upon his last birthday
(It being St Patrick's Day), told his three companions,
"I am going outside and may be some time", and crawled
Out through the tentflap and out, slowly out of this world,
Letting the elements take him...





Author notes

NB... I follow Scott's diary regarding the date - as indeed, do all serious historians. I understand that Wikipedia gives it as 16 March... but Wikipedia is -- to say the least - not exactly the most reliable of sources.


I

A contest entry

Please do not feel obliged to comment -and if if you DO comment, please understand it may be some time before I respond.

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6

  • TyrannyForestFairy
    July 26, 2008

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    Stunning

    This was MAGNIFICANT!!! Beautifully structured, composed with the perfect vocabulary, the concept indeed is very heroic and oh... I love the Irish This couldnt have been more well written, it was just dazzling all along and the ending was just mind blowing. Thanks for entering and good luck!! Lovely composition, I loved it!!!

    ~Emily~ xx


  • Silver Asylum
    July 14, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    I Likes

    No, unfortunately Wikipedia isn't, but when is anything these days? But its still my favorite to use...I know what you mean though. But to the poem...I actually am Catholic, and Irish on my dad's side, so the poem automatically hit a spot there. But I, most of all, like the ending, as you leave the poem much like Oates was left. Enraptured by the elements, and still with much mystery, considering his body wasn't found. Excellent write and good luck in the contest!
    ~*~Silent Insanity

    P.S: Sorry for using the quote you already used, but I'm heartset on leaving all my comments with quotes from the person they wrote about, and I can only find the one for Captain Oates.
    ****
    "I am just going outside, and may be some time."
    -Captain Lawrence Edward Grace Oates


  • KevinDunn
    March 24, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    A most effective and moving poem. I am not a Catholic but I am the poerty editor of a Catholic newspaper in Western Australia. With you permission, I would be keen to re-publish this. We do pay a small honourariam, but I fear once it has been changed into UK pounds and the bank comission pad, there would be almost nothing left.


  • Elrenia
    March 17, 2007

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    This is exactly what I wanted. I love humour, but it is about the day I wanted to hear. I hope this was freeverse, as that is how I read it. Very nice. I do like it a lot. We celebrate the day, but few know the true story behind it. I am not sure if yours is the definitive truth, but it is a nice story. And, yes, I did want the name right where you put it. You are one of two who have gotten this right, so far. You do not need the line before it. Just your name is fine. And, you get special consideration for an original.

    Well wishes in the contest.
    Thank you for sharing.

    rous


  • Elfin
    March 17, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    A fine tribute to Scott, Vera, and another fine poem. WELL DONE.

    • Vera Rich
      March 18, 2007
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for your appreciation.... But it was not Scott... but Oates! (Scott, Bowers and Wilson died later - IN the tent, where their bodies were found the following spring. It is from Scott's diary and Wilson's letter to Oates' mother that we know the story!)

1 - 6 of 6