War Poetry
Modern History Sourcebook:
World War I Poetry:
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967):"How to Die" Link to Collected Poems [At Columbia]
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918):"Anthem for a Doomed Youth" Link to Collected Poems [At Toronto]
Wilfred Owen: "Dulce et Decorum Est"
Herbert Read (1893-1968): "The Happy Warrior"
W.N.Hodgson (1893-1916): "Before Action"
Wilfred Gibson (1878-1962) "Back" Link to Collected Poems [At Columbia]
Philip Larkin (1922-1985): "MCMXIV" Link to Poems [At Hooked.net]
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)
"How to Die"
Dark clouds are smouldering into red While down the craters morning burns.
The dying soldier shifts his head To watch the glory that returns;
He lifts his fingers toward the skies Where holy brightness breaks in flame;
Radiance reflected in his eyes, And on his lips a whispered name.
You'd think, to hear some people talk, That lads go West with sobs and curses,
And sullen faces white as chalk, Hankering for wreaths and tombs and hearses.
But they've been taught the way to do it Like Christian soldiers; not with haste
And shuddering groans; but passing through it With due regard for decent taste.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
"Anthem for a Doomed Youth"
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
--Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells, Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,-
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
"Dulce et Decorum Est "
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like
World War I Poetry:
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967):"How to Die" Link to Collected Poems [At Columbia]
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918):"Anthem for a Doomed Youth" Link to Collected Poems [At Toronto]
Wilfred Owen: "Dulce et Decorum Est"
Herbert Read (1893-1968): "The Happy Warrior"
W.N.Hodgson (1893-1916): "Before Action"
Wilfred Gibson (1878-1962) "Back" Link to Collected Poems [At Columbia]
Philip Larkin (1922-1985): "MCMXIV" Link to Poems [At Hooked.net]
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)
"How to Die"
Dark clouds are smouldering into red While down the craters morning burns.
The dying soldier shifts his head To watch the glory that returns;
He lifts his fingers toward the skies Where holy brightness breaks in flame;
Radiance reflected in his eyes, And on his lips a whispered name.
You'd think, to hear some people talk, That lads go West with sobs and curses,
And sullen faces white as chalk, Hankering for wreaths and tombs and hearses.
But they've been taught the way to do it Like Christian soldiers; not with haste
And shuddering groans; but passing through it With due regard for decent taste.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
"Anthem for a Doomed Youth"
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
--Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries for them from prayers or bells, Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,-
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
"Dulce et Decorum Est "
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like