The poem "Drifters" by Bruce Dawe is a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of the lives of soldiers and the impact of war on their families and communities. Through the use of vivid imagery and poignant language, Dawe highlights the cyclical nature of war and the devastating effects it has on those who are caught in its grip.
The poem begins with a simple yet striking image: "The young men/drifting into town". This line immediately establishes the theme of movement and drift, both literally and metaphorically. The soldiers are described as "drifting", suggesting a sense of aimlessness and lack of direction. This is further emphasized by the fact that they are "into town", implying that they have no specific destination or purpose.
As the poem progresses, Dawe uses vivid imagery and sensory details to convey the raw, brutal realities of war. The soldiers are described as "brown and battered", their faces "haggard" and "taut with strain". These descriptions paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional toll that war takes on the soldiers, who are reduced to little more than shells of their former selves.
In the second stanza, Dawe shifts his focus to the families and communities of the soldiers. He describes how the mothers and fathers of the soldiers "weep and wait", their hearts "aching for their boys". This image captures the sense of loss and longing that the families of soldiers feel, as they wait anxiously for news of their loved ones.
The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of the cyclical nature of war to the forefront. Dawe describes how the soldiers will eventually "drift back" to their homes, but warns that they will "drift away again" when the next war breaks out. This cycle of drift and return is depicted as a never-ending cycle, with no end in sight.
Overall, "Drifters" is a poignant and powerful portrayal of the impact of war on soldiers and their families. Through vivid imagery and poignant language, Dawe captures the raw, brutal realities of war and the devastating effects it has on those caught in its grip. The cyclical nature of war is depicted as a never-ending cycle, with no end in sight, leaving the reader with a sense of despair and hopelessness.
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