Category Archives: wwi poetry

Edgell Rickword, “Winter Warfare”

Winter Warfare Colonel Cold strode up the Line (tabs of rime and spurs of ice); stiffened all that met his glare: horses, men and lice. Visited a forward post, left them burning, ear to foot; fingers stuck to biting steel, … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “At Daybreak”

At Daybreak I listen for him through the rain, And in the dusk of starless hours I know that he will come again; Loth was he ever to forsake me: He comes with glimmering of flowers And stir of music … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “To-Day”

To-day This is To-day, a child in white and blue Running to meet me out of Night who stilled The ghost of Yester-eve; this is fair Morn The mother of To-morrow. And these clouds That chase the sunshine over gleaming … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “The Rear-Guard”

The Rear-Guard (HINDENBURG LINE, APRIL 1917) Groping along the tunnel, step by step, He winked his prying torch with patching glare From side to side, and sniffed the unwholesome air. Tins, boxes, bottles, shapes too vague to know; A mirror … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Glory of Women”

Glory of Women You love us when we’re heroes, home on leave, Or wounded in a mentionable place. You worship decorations; you believe That chivalry redeems the war’s disgrace. You make us shells. You listen with delight, By tales of … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Together”

Together Splashing along the boggy woods all day, And over brambled hedge and holding clay, I shall not think of him: But when the watery fields grow brown and dim, And hounds have lost their fox, and horses tire, I … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “To Any Dead Officer”

To Any Dead Officer Well, how are things in Heaven? I wish you’d say, Because I’d like to know that you’re all right. Tell me, have you found everlasting day, Or been sucked in by everlasting night? For when I … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Survivors”

Survivors No doubt they’ll soon get well; the shock and strain Have caused their stammering, disconnected talk. Of course they’re ‘longing to go out again,’– These boys with old, scared faces, learning to walk. They’ll soon forget their haunted nights; … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Suicide in the Trenches”

Suicide in the Trenches I knew a simple soldier boy Who grinned at life in empty joy, Slept soundly through the lonesome dark, And whistled early with the lark. In winter trenches, cowed and glum, With crumps and lice and … Continue reading

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Siegfried Sassoon, “Song-Books of the War”

Song-Books of the War In fifty years, when peace outshines Remembrance of the battle lines, Adventurous lads will sigh and cast Proud looks upon the plundered past. On summer morn or winter’s night, Their hearts will kindle for the fight, … Continue reading

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