Stephen Gospage

Draft Dodger

by Stephen Gospage

Monday 29th April 2024 8:24 am

Are we allowed to be afraid?

Is it compulsory to fight?

Many would choose to be elsewhere

When faced with a foe and its might.

Are we a traitor if we leave,

Or a patriot if we stay?

It is no shame to show contempt

For warfare, and to keep away.

And ‘pacifist’, that grubby word

That hardly dares to speak its name?

Why should we join the ranks of hate

Or play the devil’s little game?

Do not believe that we were put

On Earth to kill our fellow man.

Our task should be to sue for peace,

Not implement some murder plan.

Since, if for anything, we stand

For freedom and the right to say;

‘I will not be a part of this’,

Whatever power thinks today.

🌷🌷 (13)

War pacifism Ukraine

◄ Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

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Comments

Stephen Gospage

Wed 1st May 2024 14:39

My thanks to David, Graham, RG and MC for their comments.

This poem was written against the background of the widening of conscription in Ukraine and of attempts to bring back men of fighting age from abroad. A number of conscientious objectors have also been imprisoned in Ukraine.

I don't disagree with any of the comments. They all make valid points. I struggle with this subject because, while I detest war and the idea of fighting my fellow man, there is plainly a contradiction in pacifism i.e. how do you deal with an invader who is hell-bent on killing you to conquer your country? (Or, as Graham points out, wants to harm your family). When does a refuse to take part in self-defence become unreasonable? And should one not be required (and allowed) to serve in a non-combattant capacity? I think that the comments bring out these contradictions very clearly.

One thing, concerning David's comments. By the 'ranks of hate', I did not mean to imply that all soldiers at the front were infused with hate. It was simply a poetic description of the 'war machine' from a pacifist's viewpoint.

This discussion brings to mind an episode from World War 2. When Benjamin Britten applied to be a conscientious objector, Ralph Vaughan Williams (who was not at all a pacifist) spoke up for him, saying that, while he disagreed with Britten's views, he believed that we were fighting for a way of life which allowed people to hold such views.

And my thanks to John C, Tom D, Stephen A, Holden, K Lynn, Hélène, Manish, Bethany, Auracle, Keletso and Prakhar for liking this one.

M.C. Newberry

Mon 29th Apr 2024 17:04

It is essentially a matter of context.
Pacifism in the ultimate sense of abhorrence at killing another is understsndable, but should not prevent offering service in another capacity in time of justified conflict, e.g. Defence of one's country. Concientious objectors in time of war are all too ready to enjoy the fruits of peace hard won by others.

Reggie's Ghost

Mon 29th Apr 2024 15:20

We applaud Russian draft dodgers yet we abhor Ukrainians. It's a funny old world.

David RL Moore

Mon 29th Apr 2024 14:45

There is one line in there I would question here.

'Why should we join the ranks of hate" supposes that to kill one has to hate. With respect I find that line too simplistic and a little dissmissive. You should know this is not the case, it is the case that states promote hate to facilitate a moral excuse to kill. Most who have been in deadly conflict understand this manipulation and that it is exactly that. Obviously there are those occasions when you come to hate an enemy. I do think that line is a little presumptive of all those who fight and possibly indicative of an absense of understanding of those who have never been called upon to do so.

Visions of Orwell's "Two minute hate" come to mind...that is a conditioning that not all succumb to.

David

Graham Sherwood

Mon 29th Apr 2024 12:53

I cannot countenance killing another man but if my family were threatened I wouldn’t think twice.
In a conflict such as Ukraine for example I don’t think they have a choice unless they choose subservience

Another thought provoking write Stephen! Thanks for keeping Write Out Loud aware and awake!

David RL Moore

Mon 29th Apr 2024 08:59

An interesting and challenging poem Stephen.

My Father was pacifist and declined his call up during national service, he was at theological college at the time. I was unaware of this fact until later in my own life, I did contemplate pacifism during my military service.

My thoughts on pacifism were largely influenced by meeting pacifists who were being oppressed and sometimes murdered, certainly persecuted. Initially what jarred with me was my own position of being their defender by proxy, I couldn't understand the dynamic or relate to how someone might choose not to physically defend themselves.

I came to understand the pacifist stance only by speaking with pacifist's, some arrived at their belief via religious teachings some were humanists, all had deep convictions on the position of not killing.

I came to respect their bravery in the face of others who would mock and even treat them as outcasts because of their refusal to kill or be part of a machine that does/did.

I still cannot completely understand the refusal to not take up arms to defend oneself. I am fortunate that I have been tested in that fashion and know that I will defend myself with extreme prejudice should the moment arise. There is a difference between taking up arms in immediate proximity to danger and the taking up of arms to go to a fight not yet initiated. My question would be where is the line and is it not right that we should be ready instead of leaving it to others to defend us. That said I respect immensly the choice and stoic steadfastness of those who choose not to kill.

I am not a pacifist but I wish everyone could be.

David

PS. As with many ideas in order to process them I take their principles to their extremes. I imagine someone who calls themselves a pacifist in a situation of seeing his/her loved ones executed in front of them, in those moments would they stick firm to their principles or not, if not they are not a pacifist. It is difficult for me to imagine anyone not succumbing to such provocation, that said I know people have resisted under those circumstances.

If the idea of defence becomes obsolete how do we defend the weak and vulnerable? Which is a greater crime, to permit the killing of the weak or to defend them by killing those who would kill them.

The solution surely lies within the options we give ourselves to disable the circumstances that facilitate killing. Humanity is not yet evolved to that place, I doubt it ever will.

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