What Rough Beast -

"It's hour come at last ..."
     "Slinks towards Bethlehem to be born" if I remember A Level English Literature correctly.    
     Normally Conrad is not big on poetry. But, a few reminiscences across these etiolated neurons do make a case.  Let us today celebrate Poetry!

Entropy and the Ancient
     "All around the lone and level sands stretch far away"
     Look up "Ozymandias" or Percy Shelley.  This is the perfect literary equivalent of Sic Transit Gloria Mundi - as per yesterday's blog. Sometimes, when done right, Poetry really does hit the spot

For 1914

     "They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old.
      Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
      At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
      We shall remember them." 

     This one makes my throat ache.  It ought to be required reading for any politician who wants to gain glory via bloodshed.

A Bit of C20 Happenstance
     "The Lion, the Lion, he dwells in the waste
      He has a big mouth and a very small waist.
      His jaws they are stark
      And his teeth they are grim
      And a good little child will not play with him"
That's Hillaire Belloc, that is, What!  you want more!?
    " I shoot the Hippopotamus
     With Bullets made of Platinum
     Because if I use leaden ones
     His hide is sure to flatten 'em."

So obviously not C21 PC!

Pip pip!