Robert service, 1917
(after returning from WWI)
The March of the Dead
The cruel war was over — oh, the triumph was so sweet!
We watched the troops returning, through our tears;
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet glittering street,
And you scarce could hear the music for the cheers.
And you scarce could see the house-tops for the flags that flew between;
The bells were pealing madly to the sky;
And everyone was shouting for the Soldiers of the Queen,
And the glory of an age was passing by.
And then there came a shadow, swift and sudden, dark and drear;
The bells were silent, not an echo stirred.
The flags were drooping sullenly, the men forgot to cheer;
We waited, and we never spoke a word.
The sky grew darker, darker, till from out the gloomy rack
There came a voice that checked the heart with dread:
"Tear down, tear down your bunting now, and hang up sable black;
They are coming — it's the Army of the Dead."
They were coming, they were coming, gaunt and ghastly, sad and slow;
They were coming, all the crimson wrecks of pride;
With faces seared, and cheeks red smeared, and haunting eyes of woe,
And clotted holes the khaki couldn't hide.
Oh, the clammy brow of anguish! the livid, foam-flecked lips!
The reeling ranks of ruin swept along!
The limb that trailed, the hand that failed, the bloody finger tips!
And oh, the dreary rhythm of their song!
"They left us on the veldt-side, but we felt we couldn't stop
On this, our England's crowning festal day;
We're the men of Magersfontein, we're the men of Spion Kop,
Colenso — we're the men who had to pay.
We're the men who paid the blood-price. Shall the grave be all our gain?
You owe us. Long and heavy is the score.
Then cheer us for our glory now, and cheer us for our pain,
And cheer us as ye never cheered before."
The folks were white and stricken,
and each tongue seemed weighted with lead;
Each heart was clutched in hollow hand of ice;
And every eye was staring at the horror of the dead,
The pity of the men who paid the price.
They were come, were come to mock us, in the first flush of our peace;
Through writhing lips their teeth were all agleam;
They were coming in their thousands — oh, would they never cease!
I closed my eyes, and then — it was a dream.
There was triumph, triumph, triumph down the scarlet gleaming street;
The town was mad; a man was like a boy.
A thousand flags were flaming where the sky and city meet;
A thousand bells were thundering the joy.
There was music, mirth and sunshine; but some eyes shone with regret;
And while we stun with cheers our homing braves,
O God, in Thy great mercy, let us nevermore forget
The graves they left behind, the bitter graves.
Here's something I posted on LinkedIn that is such a common point of discussion when I meet with colleagues I ‘grew’ up with in my profession that I feel someone needs to say it. It's not meant to be a complaint but a gentle reminder.
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Having observed a significant decline in respect and civility in the workplace, I offer these observations for younger employees (42 and younger especially)
* Always aim to respond to emails within a reasonable timeframe. If you can't address the issue immediately, a quick acknowledgment that you've received the email and will respond in detail later shows respect for the sender's time and effort.
* Actively seek out and consider the viewpoints of more experienced colleagues. Their insights can provide depth and context that might not be immediately apparent. Even if you don't agree, understanding their perspective can enrich your own.
* Basic politeness is crucial. This includes simple manners like saying "please" and "thank you," holding doors open, or offering help when someone is struggling with a task. These small acts of kindness can significantly impact workplace culture.
* When someone is speaking, especially someone senior, give them your full attention. Avoid checking your phone or looking disinterested. This shows respect for their time and expertise. Ignoring people or not giving them your attention when they're speaking is a form of disrespect.
* If you disagree with an idea or decision, express it respectfully. Frame your disagreement as a quest for understanding or improvement rather than a challenge to authority.
* Always give credit where credit is due, especially to those who might not be in the limelight. This includes acknowledging the groundwork laid by others in projects or the company's history.
* Regularly ask for feedback from your peers and superiors. This shows you value their opinion and are committed to improvement.
* While many modern workplaces are flattening hierarchies, understanding and respecting the chain of command can prevent misunderstandings and show professionalism.
* Be aware of cultural differences between generations in what is considered respectful or polite. This sensitivity helps in avoiding unintentional disrespect.
* Respect others' time by being punctual for meetings, sticking to agreed deadlines, and being concise in communications.
* Show appreciation for opportunities, guidance, and support. This could be through verbal thanks, written notes, or even small gestures like bringing in treats for the team.
* Demonstrate a commitment to learning not just from books or courses but from the people around you. This shows respect for the collective knowledge within the organization.
By adopting these behaviors, younger employees can foster a more respectful, collaborative, and productive workplace environment. It's about building relationships based on mutual respect, which in turn can lead to a more fulfilling and successful career path.
A final note: if you consistently show disrespect, do not be surprised or offended when you encounter similar behavior in return.
If you want to know what old feels like? These are the aircraft I've worked on in my career:
Boeing
* B-52G
* 737-200/300/400/500/600/700/800/900, P-8 (MMA), E-7 (AEW&C Wedgetail)
* 747-400/8
* 777-200/300/300ER
* 787-8/9/10
* F-18
Cessna
* CitationJet (Model 525)
* 172R
* 182S
* 206H/T206H
Beechcraft/Raytheon
* Premier I
Gulfstream
* GIV
* G600
* G650
Airbus
* A400M
* A330ceo
Virgin Galactic
* Spaceship 2/3/4
* Whiteknight 2
Lockheed
* F-22
Learjet
* Learjet 35
Dassault
* Falcon 10X
