Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the annual Townsville Poetry Association meeting for 2005. I'm quite sure everyone here reads poetry and subconsciously analyses and deconstructs each line and verse. You may even test yourself to challenge the dominant reading and look at the poem in a different light. Today, I'd like to share a critical analysis of work by two writers whose poetry I found to be most moving and inspiring.
             The theme of both poems is war, however there are many variations between the two, making them both very interesting and enjoyable to read and speak about.
             The war theme seems especially appropriate at this time because 66 years ago to the day, England declared war on Germany, causing the start of World War Two. Today, however, Australia has troops in Iraq, fighting with the United States in what may become the Third World War.
             War itself has had a widespread effect on not only soldiers, but ordinary people. Involvement or death in war, has affected nearly all people today, whether it be a relative, a friend or even a wartime hero who may have inspired you throughout your life. Whatever the circumstances or whenever the time period, war instigates huge amounts of destruction to the lands and infrastructure, and grief caused by the death of many innocent people. Both these poems portray the devastation caused by war described by men whose eyes saw it all.
             The two poems are 'Men in Green,' written by Australian poet David Campbell during the Second World War, and 'Spring Offensive,' by Wilfred Owen who fought during World War One.
             David Campbell, author of "Men in Green," is often recognized as one of Australia's most accomplished poets. He was born on July 16, 1915 in New South Wales. He served in the RAAF from 1939 to 1945 and was involved in the Second World War in New Guinea. Campbell received the Henry Lawson Arts Award in 1970 and the Patrick White Literac...