Tuesday, April 23, 2024

OBSCURE POET-WILFRED OWEN

 


WILFRED OWEN

Born March 18, 1893


One of the leading poets of the First World War


Influences- the bible, the Romantic poets, particularly William Wordsworth and John Yeats.


Verse was about the horrors of trench and gas warfare.


Killed in action  November 4, 1918 at age 25.


Regarded my many as the greatest poet of WWI. 



Anthem for 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 now for them; no prayers nor 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 patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

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