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Army Quote by Walt Whitman

“I saw battle-corpses, myriads of them, And the white skeletons of young men-I saw them; I saw the debris and debris of all the dead soldiers of the war; But I saw they were not as was thought; They themselves were fully at rest-they suffer'd not; The living remain'd and suffer'd-the mother…” quote by Walt Whitman
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“I saw battle-corpses, myriads of them, And the white skeletons of young men-I saw them; I saw the debris and debris of all the dead soldiers of the war; But I saw they were not as was thought; They themselves were fully at rest-they suffer'd not; The living remain'd and suffer'd-the mother suffer'd, And the wife and the child, and the musing comrade suffer'd, And the armies that remain'd suffer'd.”

Walt Whitman

About This Quote

Source Poem: Leaves of Grass, 1855

The poet recounts war’s devastation, noting that while soldiers are at peace in death, the living continue to suffer.

In simple terms: War leaves lasting sorrow for those left behind.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the hidden costs of conflict.

Themes

war suffering memory

Mood

somber reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family grief
  • veteran support
  • peace advocacy

Key Concepts

human cost trauma

Questions to Reflect On

  • What responsibilities do survivors have?
  • How can societies heal collective trauma?
A Different Perspective

May romanticize sacrifice.

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