David RL Moore

Spectator

by David RL Moore

Thursday 8th May 2025 5:36 pm

I know not the deepest pangs of hunger

nor have I felt the heel of a boot at my throat,

but I have seen insects crawl on sightless eyes

and I've heard cruel victors gloat.

I know not the wrench of forced separation

nor have I sought refuge where wild dogs howl,

but I have seen the fall of once kind nations

and smelt their rot, so foul.

I know not the persecution or the pain of the outcast

nor has any God or my Countrymen ever abandoned me,

but I have seen the slaughter of innocents

in real time on YouTube and TV...

I know not the courage of the named "foreign agent" or activist

nor have I stood up to speak that they be free,

but I have spent my life at liberty in peace

because someone else gave all for me...

🌷(10)

◄ Peace talks

Harm ►

Comments

David RL Moore

Mon 12th May 2025 07:49

Thanks for the like Tom.

David

David RL Moore

Sun 11th May 2025 09:36

Thanks for your comment and observations Uilleam.

I believe it is correct to say fascism has arrived in power in the US and is currently being practiced in government. With non judicial repatriations and detentions what else could such acts be referred to as. People are nervous about calling something what it obviously is, and that is exactly what fascism requires to grow.

I'm pretty sure we in the UK are well on the cusp of similar circumstances.

Last year I wrote an essay about an ordinary Russian citizen called Alexander Demidenko (he was anything but ordinary) Demidenko was declared a "foreign agent" for assisting Ukranian citizens to return to Ukraine from Russia, he was criminalised and ultimately murdered in a Russian prison. Russian authorities stated he had committed suicide, classic modus operandi of tyranny.

Ever since that story I have been alert to similar tactics being used worldwide in varying degrees of visibility. The greater frequency with which such things happen is a clear indicator of the traction fascism is gaining.

David RL Moore

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Sat 10th May 2025 12:43

Thanks David, you’re very much ON piste, both in your poem and in your comments.

You ask, referring to Russia, and the criminalising of independent journalists:
“How far might we be away from such a similar state of affairs…?”

To quote Mehdi Hasan, of Zeteo News, concerning Gaza and the USA: “Fascism isn’t coming, it’s here”.

The same currently applies to the UK, where journalists are sacked, harrassed and imprisoned; as are anti-genocide protestors, be they Jewish or not, under the guise of anti-terrorism laws for speaking out; and parts of the UK "news" media are collaborators in all that.

David RL Moore

Sat 10th May 2025 11:56

Thank you Stephen and Greg,

I'm pleased you both saw something worthwhile in this piece.

Also thanks to Nigel, Holden and Helene for the likes.

David RL Moore

Greg Freeman

Fri 9th May 2025 23:18

Very fine poem, David. Yes, I read this as being more contemporary than referring specifically to VE Day.

Stephen Gospage

Fri 9th May 2025 09:14

Thank you, David. The structure of this poem, with its devastating conclusion, gives it such power.

David RL Moore

Fri 9th May 2025 08:51

Thank you Reggie, Telboy and Graham and to those who have sent likes.

I wasn't specifically motivated by VE day to pen this piece although it is entirely relevant in that context.

The deluge of grim news that informs us of the suffering of others can have a numbing effect. Sometimes we trick ourselves to believe that merely by talking about terrible events and denouncing them we somehow impact them. It is true to say that discussion raises awareness, but awareness without action doesn't move things forward much.

It is also true that people and societies over time have devolved or surrendered their own voices to governing bodies who no longer represent their subjects desires, although to do so exclusively and with equity would be impossible. Such a state of perceived sterility by the masses over time becomes a reality, we believe we are powerless...this I think is the intended impact of many governing agencies, so as to harness all power for themselves...resulting in the death of or at least the decline of democracy.

If we as indivduals act outside imposed parameters we are deemed rebels, anarchists, criminals, revolutionanaries even terrorists...are we? dependent on specific acts of course we could be, although merely to voice dissent is not enough if we are to realise change.

To clarify the term "foreign agent" it is a label that the Russian State has been imposing upon many independent journalists and academics within its own borders in order to criminalise them so they can be silenced. How far might we be away from such a similar state of affairs if we remain inactive?

Sorry for going off piste a little there (if you thought I did)

David RL Moore

Graham Sherwood

Thu 8th May 2025 19:52

I’m a post-war baby. I now have children who also have their own.
Thank those who fell that none of us have been faced with what they were. Bravo for this David.

Telboy

Thu 8th May 2025 18:40

Would today's population have the same resolve as that during the 40's?

Reggie's Ghost

Thu 8th May 2025 18:36

Yes David to your last two lines. That is what today's VE commemoration is about. And it is worth remembering that although we are proud of British and Commonwealth troops, we would probably be speaking German now if it wasn't for the Americans. It is easy to forget that in the current climate.

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