Tag Archives: war

A Vet Sees Himself in Odysseus

By Robin Bates | Published: November 12, 2023

In Huey’s poem, a veteran who has seen combat frames his experience in terms of “The Odyssey.”

By Robin Bates | Published: October 25, 2023

Two peace poems, by an Israeli and a Palestinian-American, invite us to step beyond the hostilities.

By Robin Bates | Published: October 3, 2023

Russia’s invading army regards certain men as expendable. I am reminded of the shrews in the “Redwall” books by Jacques.

By Robin Bates | Published: September 11, 2023

Does “Charge of the Light Brigade” glamorize senseless sacrifice. What would Russian soldiers in Ukraine think?

By Robin Bates | Published: June 14, 2023

Although the late Cormac McCarthy had a very dark vision of humanity, one can find glimpses of hope within his novels.

By Robin Bates | Published: April 17, 2023

One option for Irishmen leaving the country has been fighting for other countries. Yeats captures this in “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death.”

By Robin Bates | Published: November 12, 2022

For Sassoon’s soldier in the trenches, easy belief in God has given way to mystic search.

By Robin Bates | Published: September 12, 2022

In Ukraine, some Russian troops are throwing down their arms and running, bringing to mind such a scene in “Red Badge of Courage.”

By Robin Bates | Published: June 6, 2022

To imagine the reluctance of Russian soldiers to fight, check out this scene in “Good Omens.”