The soldier is a truely enlightening poem about war as i gives a different view to war. Normally, war poems are about the emotional trauma that one has felt after the war has ended.
Reflections:
I think that in Singapore, national service is compulsory for Singaporeans. Singapore is a small country with limited human resources. It would be hard for us to maintain a professional army as it is costly and with the high standards or living, most men would rather not. However, there is a need for an army as Singapore is vulnerable and thus may be prone to attacks if it ever happens.
It is hard to say if i would have such patriotism for Singapore. War changes people's views and one might turn into a hero or a coward. The mentally strong would be able to go through war and fight for a cause, e.g. protecting their country. I would like to perceive me as being patriotic. Our country has provided us a home to live in, an environment to grow in, thus we should be able to give back to our country. Even though Singapore is small and vulnerable, we should give it our best shot to protect it, even though odds are against us. I would like to think that if i ever die, i would not die in regret. Living a life of regret is both torturous mentally and emotionally, thinking that you could have done more, yet you did not do it. I would give my life for the country that has nurtures, educated and taught me for i will never be able to repay what she has given to me.
Finally, i would like to post a poem about the same theme.
O Captain My Captain
a poem by Walt Whitman
O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Many people say this poem can stur up different emotions from happiness to sadness. Please post your views!
Sebastian here,
ReplyDeleteBut do you think other Singaporeans feel the same way as you do? Will they protect Singapore in times of emergency? If not, how do we promote patriotism or nation building in Singapore. Singaporeans may seem very proud of their country when they celebrate national day. They all say they love their country and is willing to do anything for their country but will this stay the same throughout? Will they change their mindset?
Hi, Yuet Tung here, I think that this post does shows us insightful details on the importance of national service on defending the country. However, besides defending the country, I believe that National Service was make compulsory for many other purposes (e.g. promote social cohesion), thus I think that this post may not only include how national service help in defending the country.
ReplyDeleteAlso, wow! You're being so patriotic to Singapore. However, I believe that not every Singaporean are like you. thus I hope that you could include the point of view of other Singaporeans in this post, like what Sebastian has said.
Thanks and regards,
Lim Yuet Tung
With the undeniably good relations we have with the east and the west, do you even think that the day will come where any country will attack us? Singapore does not have any real enemies, thus the inevitable question that will arise is that do we even an army to protect Singapore? In this modern world, how many countries are actually getting invaded?
ReplyDeleteI feel that in your reflection, you should add more POV as you are only writing in your point of view a "patriotic" Singaporean. But can you argue from the point of view of a person that feels that there is no need to die for the country. I think this would make your post more all rounded
ReplyDelete