Category Archives: wwi poetry

“A Cross in Flanders,” G. Rostrevor Hamilton

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

A Cross in Flanders In the face of death, they say, he joked–he had no fear; His comrades, when they laid him in a Flanders grave, Wrote on a rough-hewn cross–a Calvary stood near– “Without a fear he gave “His … Continue reading →

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“My Son,” Ada Tyrrell

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

My Son Here is his little cambric frock That I laid by in lavender so sweet, And here his tiny shoe and sock I made with loving care for his dear feet. I fold the frock across my breast, And … Continue reading →

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“The Tombstone-Maker,” Siegfried Sassoon

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

The Tombstone-Maker He primmed his loose red mouth and leaned his head Against a sorrowing angel’s breast, and said: ‘You’d think so much bereavement would have made ‘Unusual big demands upon my trade. ‘The War comes cruel hard on some … Continue reading →

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“Edith Cavell,” Laurence Binyon

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

Edith Cavell She was binding the wounds of her enemies when they came— The lint in her hand unrolled. They battered the door with their rifle-butts, crashed it in: She faced them gentle and bold. They haled her before the … Continue reading →

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“Fleurette,” Robert W. Service

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

Fleurette THE WOUNDED CANADIAN SPEAKS: My leg? It’s off at the knee. Do I miss it? Well, some. You see I’ve had it since I was born; And lately a devilish corn. (I rather chuckle with glee To think how … Continue reading →

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“The Journey,” Grace Fallow Norton

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

The Journey I went upon a journey To countries far away, From province unto province To pass my holiday. And when I came to Serbia, In a quiet little town At an inn with a flower-filled garden With a soldier … Continue reading →

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“Headquarters,” Gilbert Frankau

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

Headquarters A league and a league from the trenches–from the traversed maze of the lines, Where daylong the sniper watches and daylong the bullet whines, And the cratered earth is in travail with mines and with countermines– Here, where haply … Continue reading →

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“Optimism,” A. Victor Ratcliffe

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Victoria Janssen

Optimism At last there’ll dawn the last of the long year, Of the long year that seemed to dream no end, Whose every dawn but turned the world more drear, And slew some hope, or led away some friend. Or … Continue reading →

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“The Battlefield,” Sydney Oswald

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

The Battlefield Around no fire the soldiers sleep to-night, But lie a-wearied on the ice-bound field, With cloaks wrapt round their sleeping forms, to shield Them from the northern winds. Ere comes the light Of morn brave men must arm, … Continue reading →

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“To Belgium in Exile,” Owen Seaman

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Victoria Janssen

To Belgium in Exile [Lines dedicated to one of her priests, by whose words they were prompted.] Land of the desolate, Mother of tears, Weeping your beauty marred and torn, Your children tossed upon the spears, Your altars rent, your … Continue reading →

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