Watching

THE THING BEHIND THE DOOR
Fabrice Blin
France, 2020

Reading

Richard Aldington
DEATH OF A HERO

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From Wikipedia:

Aldington, a veteran of World War I, claimed that his novel was accurate in terms of speech and style. It contained extensive colloquial speech, including profanity, discussion of sexuality and graphic descriptions of the war and of trench life. There was extensive censorship in England and many war novels had been banned or burned as a result. When Aldington first published his novel, he redacted a number of passages to ensure the publication of his book would not be challenged. He insisted that his publishers include a disclaimer in the original printing of the book with the following text:

To my astonishment, my publisher informed me that certain words, phrases, sentences, and even passages, are at present taboo in England. I have recorded nothing which I have not observed in human life, said nothing I do not believe to be true. At my request the publishers are removing what they believe would be considered objectionable, and are placing asterisks to show where omissions have been made. In my opinion it is better for the book to appear mutilated than for me to say what I don't believe.

PHILOMENA CUNK

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Why did they call World War I "World War I?" It's quite pessimistic numbering, isn't it? Or did they just know it was the start of a franchise?

WILFRED OWEN
"Futility"

Move him into the sun—
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds—
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs so dear-achieved, are sides
Full-nerved,—still warm,—too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all?