Civilian and Soldier by Wole Soyinka

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CIVILIAN       AND       SOLDIER

My apparition rosc from the fall of lead,

Declared,T'm a civilian.'It only  served

To  aggravate  your  fright.

For  how  could  I

Have riscn,a being of this world,in that hour

 Of impartial dcath!

And I thought also:nor is  

Your quarrel of this world.

You stood stilll

For both eternitics,and oh I heard the lesson

 Of your  training  sessions,cautioning  -

Scorch  carth  bchind  you,do  not  leave

A dubious neutral to the rear.Reiteration Of my  civilian  quandry,burrowing  earth

From the lead festival of your more eager friends Worked the worse on your confusion,and when   You brought the gun to bear on me,and death

Twitched  me  gently  in  the  eye,your  plight And all of you came clear to me.

I  hope  some  day Intent upon my trade  of living,to be  checked

In stride by your apparition in a trench,

Signalling,I am a soldicr.No hesitation then But I shall shoot you clean and fair

With meat and bread,a gourd of wine

A bunch of breasts from either arm,and that

Lone  question   -do  you  friend,even  now,know

What it is all about?

Analysis 

"Civilian and Soldier" by Wole Soyinka is a thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, conflict, and the futility of war. Here's an analysis of its key elements:

The poem begins with the speaker, identified as a civilian, rising from the fall of lead, which signifies gunfire or warfare. The declaration of being a civilian serves to aggravate the fear of the soldier, as it highlights the speaker's vulnerability in the face of violence. The civilian reflects on the absurdity of being caught in the midst of impartial death, as they are not directly involved in the soldier's quarrel.

The soldier, on the other hand, stands for both eternities, implying a sense of duty and allegiance beyond the mortal realm. The soldier's training sessions are remembered by the civilian, cautioning against leaving a dubious neutral behind, which exacerbates the confusion and tension between them.

As the soldier brings the gun to bear on the civilian, the civilian realizes the soldier's plight and the gravity of the situation. The civilian hopes for a day when they, too, may encounter the soldier in a trench, but this time as equals. The civilian expresses the intention to act decisively, without hesitation, if faced with the soldier's apparition, indicating a willingness to defend themselves with the same determination as the soldier.

The poem concludes with a poignant question directed at the soldier: "do you, friend, even now, know what it is all about?" This question encapsulates the central theme of the poem—the senselessness and ambiguity of conflict. Despite the soldier's training and commitment to duty, there remains a lingering uncertainty about the true purpose and meaning of their actions.

Overall, "Civilian and Soldier" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of identity and the human experience in times of conflict. Through the interaction between the civilian and the soldier, the poem delves into the moral and existential dilemmas inherent in warfare, leaving the reader to ponder the ultimate question of its purpose and justification.