This line ('One of the Triumphs of Civilizations..') occurs in 'Mrs Dalloway' directly after a suicide of a traumatized war victim, ironically by the intrusion of a psychologist. This line has stuck with me...
One of the triumphs of civilizations
Has been to invade everyone’s lives.
One of the triumphs of civilization
Has been Bhopal and Hiroshima.
One of the triumphs of civilization,
Has been sophisticated oppression.
One of the triumphs of civilization
Has been to guarantee
That death comes to all.
But at a time like today,
One of the triumphs of civilization
Has been worldwide prayers.
One of the triumphs of civilization
Have been candlelight marches and vigils.
One of the triumphs of civilizations
Has been relief and concern.
One of the triumphs of civilization
Has been love transcending borders.
The world is a bad place,
And death will come to all.
Yet,
There is still love left.
And that has been the
Triumph of the civilization.
