Excellent piece, Clive. It made me think of By Heart, a poem that Beatrice Warde wrote during the Blitz:

When will you understand?

Mark what I say:

Whatever you hold in your hand

Will be blown away.

Must you learn for yourself?

Listen, take warning:

Whatever you leave on the shelf

Will be gone by morning.

Soon you must play your part.

What are you learning?

Get it by heart! By heart!

I have seen books burning.