The Barbarians Were Beaten Down But Too Late Comments

My Grandfather fought in world war 2 and mentioned alot about these happenings. Of course he was a bomber pilot he said it happened alot in the American camps as well as the German. We were not always the 'good guys' at times.

Excellent, Charles. I agree with Tai, it is a shame that the most extreme form of violence is the most traummatic to the individuals taking part. That de-humanisation, that you hint at; having the prisoners watching.. perhaps, goes some way to explaining why many veterans do not want to talk about the war.

This Poem demonstrates vividly the effect of closed down emotions to me Charles. It just may be the key to bring peace in our time. Our minds protect us against trauma, by numbing us. It is so important not to allow that to happen imo. From my experience, it is far better to get it out and dealt with, at the time that's right for the individual, than ignore it and hope it will go away. It never does, just festers and turns in the extreme, into the sort of horrors your poem so clearly shows us. Forgiveness is the other Key! Thanks for sharing 10 from keeping on trying Tai