Author’s Note: Throughout chapter four, I noticed how earth symbolizes the role of femininity in the soldiers’ lives. In the midst of brutal war, all emotions are basically shunned. But beneath all the so-called “men” are boys yearning for comfort. Remarque uses earth as a symbol of a womb or safe haven. He writes, “…he stifles his terror and his cries in her silence and her security; she shelters him and releases him for ten seconds to live, to run, ten seconds of life; receives him again and often for ever” (55). I connected the death in the battlefield (earth) to birth from their mothers.
No matter the in-between, they start and end in the same place
In the comfort of her womb
Shielded, sheltered, secured
Behind their masks of masculinity
Lays children
Full of fear and loneliness
She offers support
She offers comfort
She offers refuge
Stifling their terror
Their cries are heard by her silence
Her security
In the midst of revulsion
Her tender grace grants serenity
Forgiveness
Her touch of femininity radiates warmth
She not only becomes a safe haven
But a home for their death
No matter the in-between, they start and end in the same place
Born from the womb of their mothers’
They die in womb of mother earth
No comments:
Post a Comment