Sekhmet Posted 2 August , 2007 Share Posted 2 August , 2007 Sooo, it's time to move on fast as our poll this time was a bit late. Under direct orders from Landsturm himself I present you the new topic for August: Shellshock I hope we get a huge amount of participants this time, enjoy the topic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landsturm Posted 2 August , 2007 Share Posted 2 August , 2007 Good one! C'mon guys, lets keep this thing going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet Posted 6 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 6 August , 2007 Weell.. so far a bit quiet, eh? I have to be honest and say that I haven't even started to think about my piece, but shellshock is something I'm really interested in so I'll try to do my best this month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 6 August , 2007 Share Posted 6 August , 2007 Its a good subject and I am thinking about my work. The previous two weeks is traditionally the main summer holiday period in the UK many companies shut down for the whole period and the kids have broken up for the summer holiday. I guess a lot of contributors to MGWAT are still on holiday or have just started back at work. It will pick up soon I have no doubt about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet Posted 7 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 7 August , 2007 Its a good subject and I am thinking about my work. The previous two weeks is traditionally the main summer holiday period in the UK many companies shut down for the whole period and the kids have broken up for the summer holiday. I guess a lot of contributors to MGWAT are still on holiday or have just started back at work. It will pick up soon I have no doubt about that. Yup, it's the same here in Finland too. I've been working for most of the summer myself though, still two weeks to go..meh. But I'm glad I found this forum to pass the few hours in the evening I have spare time after work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanhemmings Posted 8 August , 2007 Share Posted 8 August , 2007 (ONLY) SHELLSHOCK The flare went up, the barrage began The thud, thud, thud deafened rat and man The trench side shook with all the force of returned artillery - right on course The men stood huddled at their posts Most of them as pale as ghosts.. The moonlight cast an eerie light Each one aware of his coming fight..... He stood alone and shivered there Sick with fear and the smell of putrid air Stand-to was called, all ready to go First wait for that dreaded whistle to blow.... And then it happened - A massive crash, the earth upended in a flash of blinding light - he did not know till he awoke Quite where he was, no body spoke He only heard somebody groan He only heard another moan He only saw a solid wall He only heard somebody call "Nurse"........ He only saw them bustling round Strange noises, footsteps on strange ground Remained unsure of what occurred - Memory returning, then vision blurred... His head was pounding like a drum He could not speak - he'd been struck dumb He only heard the clock tic toc And heard hushed words "only Shellshock" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 8 August , 2007 Share Posted 8 August , 2007 That's a great start to this month's topic, Susan. Impressive enjambment! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanhemmings Posted 8 August , 2007 Share Posted 8 August , 2007 Thanks Marina, got carried away with the atmosphere of it all.. Susan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 9 August , 2007 Share Posted 9 August , 2007 Excellent start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 13 August , 2007 Share Posted 13 August , 2007 Good topic Sekhmet and I'll work on mine this week. I think the point about summer holidays is true- I know I've just got back from mine..... Back to work tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 15 August , 2007 Share Posted 15 August , 2007 Many will have seen the shocking archive film footage of shell Shock sufferers with all sorts of exagerated involuntary movements, this and the awful treatment used to treat some men was the inspiration of this piece. Shell Shock He stands, he sits, he stands again Marking time at the double he runs This is the dance of the shell shocked man To the the tempo of far off guns His mouth forms the shape of words But his is a silent scream Even the voice of his mind is unheard' Amid the clamour of his dream The doctrine that governs his care Is one of cruel to be kind Strapped writhing to a wooden chair Electricity cauterising his mind Now that he no longer dances The doctors think him healed And though his body may be still His mind is in some far off field Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie Elizabeth Stewart Posted 15 August , 2007 Share Posted 15 August , 2007 As I said, wonderful 'scream' assonance in the 2nd stanza! Very shudder provoking clinch line, congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjustice Posted 16 August , 2007 Share Posted 16 August , 2007 Good one, gunboat. I really like that; captures the essence of the subject. SMJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet Posted 16 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 August , 2007 Good topic Sekhmet and I'll work on mine this week. I think the point about summer holidays is true- I know I've just got back from mine..... Back to work tonight My summerholiday will begin on monday, haha. Lucky me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet Posted 16 August , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 August , 2007 Gunboat, amazing work, terrifying and saddening at the same time. It's horrible to think that has been the reality for many shellshock patients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 16 August , 2007 Share Posted 16 August , 2007 (edited) Poetry is very 'in vogue' this month- must be the Shellshock topic- I look forward to the drawings. It has many names..... Glaze eyed and sunken cheek'd Sunken wreck of a Broken shattered man Crouch'd in the corner, Since that day last week Face working silently Twitching, shaking hands. Where once stood proudly, In splendid uniform, The finest son Of any mother born, Cries like a child, as The barrage slowly grows, And strains to kiss the very earth That stains his spattered clothes. Around this wretch Men look on and stare, Some in bold contempt, And some in black despair. For they are next to Go, where he has gone. He can no longer go, So face the Provosts gun Do they, even slight, envy? The fact he knows no longer what. The curse that has no one name Tethers end, wind up, neurasthenia .........Shellshock... In recent months I feel I have not really been able to participate in the forum. In honesty, my narrow sphere of knowledge means for some time now I have not really been able to post anything of any real consequence. I think it is time to take a break. I would especially like to thank the contributors to the War Art MGWAT topics which although set a out as "a bit of fun", some time last year, often shine with a light of their very own. This is pretty much now the only section I regularly peruse, so I figure that you deserve an explanation of your own. Thanks lads and lasses, I hope you'll keep on sending them in. This will be my last contribution, but I may keep an eye on the entries in the coming months and cast a vote or two. Edited 16 August , 2007 by spike10764 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted 16 August , 2007 Share Posted 16 August , 2007 Spike - you surely will stay woth us! Everyone comes to the Forum with dioffernt interests. Your contribution to this thread is of enormous value to us! And your unfailing courtesy to everyone. loved the poem, BTW! Marina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjustice Posted 16 August , 2007 Share Posted 16 August , 2007 Have to agree with the above purely on the basis that a narrow sphere of knowledge very often points to a wide and deep understanding and ability. I don't know about the first bit but I can certainly see the second. SMJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Foster Posted 17 August , 2007 Share Posted 17 August , 2007 I haven't posted anything in War Art for some time due to an R.S.I problem in my hand, but I can't let this go. Spike I do hope you reconsider. Everybody as diffrent talents, which all add to the diversity of War Art and the MGWAT, Your work as always been consistently good, and you have always been generous with your words of encouragement to others who "give it a go" Maybe in a week or two you may get itchy fingers and start to contribute again, I do hope so. Kindest Regards Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanhemmings Posted 17 August , 2007 Share Posted 17 August , 2007 I echo all the above comments. Spike, your contributions are tremendous. I offer far less to the forum, but like to keep in touch with this topic. I have always found your words touching and it would be a sad day if your part in the forum does not continue. The contributions this month is again a work of art in itself. Poetry says so much. I also look forward to the more pictorially artistic contributions. Well done to both you and Gunboat. Susan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truthergw Posted 17 August , 2007 Share Posted 17 August , 2007 I never post but I keep a very close eye on the thread. I would certainly miss your contributions. I hope you will allow yourself to be dissuaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Morton Posted 18 August , 2007 Share Posted 18 August , 2007 Susan and Spike - moving contributions both of you! Shell shock was so poorly understood and the medical treatment normally so incomplete - great topic. Spike - As much as I would hate to see you go because I always enjoy and look for your posts, I respect your decision. Take care. All the best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 18 August , 2007 Share Posted 18 August , 2007 Spike Excellent work I really enjoyed that as I have all your contributions I do hope you will carry on being involved with the forum and MGWAT All the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landsturm Posted 18 August , 2007 Share Posted 18 August , 2007 Spike, what can we say, this is like a end of an era... You've been with us from the beginning. I agree with Dan; what ever you decide to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landsturm Posted 20 August , 2007 Share Posted 20 August , 2007 Here's mine... made in charcoal, a medium I re-discovered back to my life . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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