Attrition

................. Lest we forget

Attrition

 

He wore them

until he wore them out completely …

 

Only then did he break them

but he did not break them cleanly …

 

That, is the true nature of war

regardless of what they try and teach you ….

 

 

 

Author's Note

........................................ this is a gentle reminder

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I see how attrition applies to war, but your thought-provoking words brought many things to my mind. First, I'm afraid people might lose the will to fight onward, given all the demoralizing things we struggle against these days. Second, in Washington DC they're fighting against the attrition of steady covid infections as they try to jam thru whatever agenda they think will win them 4 more years in the White House. Last but not least, I'm reminded of how we used to use things until they wore out, but nowadays, it's fashionable to get rid of anything clearly "dated" (like maybe us old farts who make up 80% of covid deaths). You didn't write very much, but you say so much! (((LUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

It is without doubt a whole new world BG .. a purchase and discard me me me mentality and with narcissists at the helm wot better ... or rather worse role models could we possibly wish for ... (MOANS) fondly ...

N :)

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of General Grant at the Siege of Petersburg.

[Neville]

........... I dunno please enlighten me

[John the Baptist]

Grant conducted a war of attrition against Lee in 1864-65. He knew he could lose 3 men to every 1 Lee lost and still come out ahead. Though he eventually lost over 100,000 men, Grant's strategy worked. Lee's Petersburg lines were broken and he surrendered a week later.

[Neville]

I was aware of the slaughter & have seen some horrific old war correspondent photo's of the time that were seriously shocking .. thanks for helping me to make sense of your previous comment and the additional enlightenment.

Neville

[Lorry]

War is hell, I believe someone more associated with cleverology than I once said, but lived my youth when elder family were reaching the end of theirs, at least the parts that weren't left on bloodied battlefields.
Touching and accurate words of how those who made it out never really made it out, returning shadows of their formal selves.

[Neville]

.. Cor blimey guv'nor I am so glad you are on my side .. Cheers again Loz

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this reminds me of friends I knew who came back from Viet Nam...broken.
The war was over for them, but only physically...mentally and emotionally they were unable
to put the pieces back together.
j.

[Neville]

Thank you for the kind words and understanding jacob.. always appreciated sir

N.

[Chris Shaw]

Three little couplets, yet so much to glean from your words. I remember attrition in the work place and then there's the continual grinding down effect that some people can have on others. However most of all I see this in a warfare setting. I see how it happened in the trenches. Continual bombardment, driving soldiers to madness I would think. Relentless torture. Yes reminds me how ugly warfare is and how stupid our Leaders can be. No one wins in war. An excellent little piece of brevity Neville.

Chris

[Neville]

thanks Chris ... you read me so well .. I know the term can apply elsewhere other than on the battlefield and boardroom ... it can happen in relationships too ... but, yes.. you are write.. this is about the ridiculousness & waste of both lives and time during war ...

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased I am reading you as you intended these lines to be read, man of peace.

[Neville]

............. just dont neva forget I'm a hard man me ..

[Chris Shaw]

... so ya tell me but I've neva seen that side of ya yet........

[Neville]

..................... Ha .. so I tell everyone Chris :)

[Chris Shaw]

I know you do, but the answers still the same......

[Neville]

................................. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Aren't we good at knitting scarves :))

[Ken Simm.]

Hit it Neville.
What was it Steinbeck said 'All war is a symptom of man's failure as a thinker'
This covers so much ground with many layers. Excellent piece that continues the readers thinking beyond.

[Neville]

.... Here sits a delighted man .. thank you Ken and truly

Neville