TheProjectGutenbergEBookofPoems,byWilfredOwen

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Title:Poems

Author:WilfredOwen

ReleaseDate:August10,2008[EBook#1034]LastUpdated:February4,2013

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKPOEMS***

ProducedbyAlanR.Light,GaryM.Johnson,andDavidWidger

POEMS

byWilfredOwen

WithanIntroductionbySiegfriedSassoon

Introduction

InwritinganIntroductionsuchasthisitisgoodtobebrief.Thepoemsprintedinthisbookneednopreliminarycommendationsfrommeoranyoneelse.Theauthorhasleftushis own fragmentary but impressiveForeword; this, and his Poems, can speak for him,backedbytheauthorityofhisexperienceasaninfantrysoldier,andsustainedbynobilityandoriginalityofstyle.AllthatwasstrongestinWilfredOwensurvivesinhispoems;anysuperficial impressionsofhispersonality,any recordsofhisconversation,behaviour,orappearance,wouldbeirrelevantandunseemly.Thecuriositywhichdemandssuchmorselswouldbeincapableofappreciatingtherichnessofhiswork.The discussion of his experiments in assonance and dissonance (of which 'Strange

Meeting'isthefinestexample)maybelefttotheprofessionalcriticsofverse,themajorityof whomwill bemore preoccupiedwith such technical details thanwith the profoundhumanityoftheself-revelationmanifestedinsuchmagnificentlinesasthoseattheendofhis'ApologiaproPoemateMeo',andinthatotherpoemwhichhenamed'GreaterLove'.The importance of his contribution to the literature of theWar cannot be decided by

those who, like myself, both admired him as a poet and valued him as a friend. HisconclusionsaboutWararesoentirelyinaccordancewithmyownthatIcannotattempttojudge his work with any critical detachment. I can only affirm that he was a man ofabsoluteintegrityofmind.Heneverwrotehispoems(assomanywar-poetsdid)tomaketheeffectofapersonalgesture.Hepitiedothers;hedidnotpityhimself.Inthelastyearofhislifeheattainedaclearvisionofwhatheneededtosay,andthesepoemssurvivehimashistrueandsplendidtestament.Wilfred Owen was born at Oswestry on 18th March 1893. He was educated at the

BirkenheadInstitute,andmatriculatedatLondonUniversityin1910.In1913heobtainedaprivate tutorshipnearBordeaux,wherehe remaineduntil1915.During thisperiodhebecameacquaintedwiththeeminentFrenchpoet,LaurentTailhade,towhomheshowedhis early verses, and fromwhom he received considerable encouragement. In 1915, inspite of delicate health, he joined the Artists' Rifles O.T.C., was gazetted to theManchesterRegiment,andservedwiththeir2ndBattalioninFrancefromDecember1916to June 1917, when he was invalided home. Fourteen months later he returned to theWesternFrontandservedwiththesameBattalion,ultimatelycommandingaCompany.He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry while taking part in some heavy

fightingon1stOctober.Hewaskilledon4thNovember1918,whileendeavouringtogethismenacrosstheSambreCanal.Amonth before his death hewrote to hismother: "Mynerves are in perfect order. I

cameoutagaininordertohelptheseboys;directly,byleadingthemaswellasanofficer

can;indirectly,bywatchingtheirsufferingsthatImayspeakofthemaswellasapleadercan."Lethisownwordsbehisepitaph:"Couragewasmine,andIhadmystery;Wisdomwasmine,andIhadmastery."

SiegfriedSassoon.

POEMS

Preface

Thisbookisnotaboutheroes.EnglishPoetryisnotyetfittospeakofthem.Norisitaboutdeedsorlands,noranythingaboutglory,honour,dominionorpower,exceptWar.Aboveall,thisbookisnotconcernedwithPoetry.ThesubjectofitisWar,andthepityofWar.ThePoetryisinthepity.Yettheseelegiesarenottothisgeneration,Thisisinnosenseconsolatory.

Theymaybetothenext.Allthepoetcandoto-dayistowarn.ThatiswhythetruePoetsmustbetruthful.IfIthoughttheletterofthisbookwouldlast,Imighthaveusedpropernames;butifthespiritofitsurvivesPrussia,myambitionandthosenameswillbecontent;fortheywillhaveachievedthemselvesfresherfieldsthanFlanders.Note.ThisPrefacewasfound,inanunfinishedcondition,amongWilfredOwen'spapers.

CONTENTS

Introduction

POEMS

Preface

StrangeMeeting

GreaterLove

ApologiaproPoemateMeo

TheShow

MentalCases

ParableoftheOldMenandtheYoung

ArmsandtheBoy

AnthemforDoomedYouth

TheSend-off

Insensibility

DulceetDecorumest

TheSentry

TheDead-Beat

Exposure

SpringOffensive

TheChances

S.I.W.

Futility

Smile,Smile,Smile

Conscious

ATerre

WildwithallRegrets

Disabled

Appendix

StrangeMeetingItseemedthatoutofthebattleIescapedDownsomeprofounddulltunnel,longsincescoopedThroughgraniteswhichTitanicwarshadgroined.Yetalsothereencumberedsleepersgroaned,Toofastinthoughtordeathtobebestirred.Then,asIprobedthem,onesprangup,andstaredWithpiteousrecognitioninfixedeyes,Liftingdistressfulhandsasiftobless.Andbyhissmile,Iknewthatsullenhall;Withathousandfearsthatvision'sfacewasgrained;Yetnobloodreachedtherefromtheupperground,Andnogunsthumped,ordownthefluesmademoan."Strange,friend,"Isaid,"Hereisnocausetomourn.""None,"saidtheother,"Savetheundoneyears,Thehopelessness.Whateverhopeisyours,Wasmylifealso;IwenthuntingwildAfterthewildestbeautyintheworld,Whichliesnotcalmineyes,orbraidedhair,Butmocksthesteadyrunningofthehour,Andifitgrieves,grievesrichlierthanhere.Forbymygleemightmanymenhavelaughed,Andofmyweepingsomethinghasbeenleft,Whichmustdienow.Imeanthetruthuntold,Thepityofwar,thepitywardistilled.Nowmenwillgocontentwithwhatwespoiled.Or,discontent,boilbloody,andbespilled.Theywillbeswiftwithswiftnessofthetigress,Nonewillbreakranks,thoughnationstrekfromprogress.Couragewasmine,andIhadmystery;Wisdomwasmine,andIhadmastery;TomissthemarchofthisretreatingworldIntovaincitadelsthatarenotwalled.Then,whenmuchbloodhadcloggedtheirchariot-wheelsIwouldgoupandwashthemfromsweetwells,Evenwithtruthsthatlietoodeepfortaint.IwouldhavepouredmyspiritwithoutstintButnotthroughwounds;notonthecessofwar.Foreheadsofmenhavebledwherenowoundswere.Iamtheenemyyoukilled,myfriend.Iknewyouinthisdark;forsoyoufrownedYesterdaythroughmeasyoujabbedandkilled.Iparried;butmyhandswereloathandcold.Letussleepnow..."(Thispoemwasfoundamongtheauthor'spapers.Itendsonthisstrangenote.)*AnotherVersion*

Earth'swheelsrunoiledwithblood.Forgetwethat.Letusliedownanddigourselvesinthought.Beautyisyoursandyouhavemastery,Wisdomismine,andIhavemystery.Wetwowillstaybehindandkeepourtroth.

Letusforegomen'smindsthatarebrute'snatures,Letusnotsupthebloodwhichsomesaynurtures,Bewenotswiftwithswiftnessofthetigress.Letusbreakranksfromthosewhotrekfromprogress.MisswethemarchofthisretreatingworldIntooldcitadelsthatarenotwalled.Letuslieoutandholdtheopentruth.ThenwhentheirbloodhathcloggedthechariotwheelsWewillgoupandwashthemfromdeepwells.WhatthoughwesinkfrommenaspitchersfallingManyshallraiseusuptobetheirfillingEvenfromwellswesunktoodeepforwarAndfilledbybrowsthatbledwherenowoundswere.*Alternativeline*

EvenasOnewhobledwherenowoundswere.

GreaterLoveRedlipsarenotsoredAsthestainedstoneskissedbytheEnglishdead.KindnessofwooedandwooerSeemsshametotheirlovepure.OLove,youreyesloselureWhenIbeholdeyesblindedinmystead!

YourslenderattitudeTremblesnotexquisitelikelimbsknife-skewed,RollingandrollingthereWhereGodseemsnottocare;TillthefierceLovetheybearCrampsthemindeath'sextremedecrepitude.

Yourvoicesingsnotsosoft,Thoughevenaswindmurmuringthroughrafteredloft,Yourdearvoiceisnotdear,Gentle,andeveningclear,AstheirswhomnonenowhearNowearthhasstoppedtheirpiteousmouthsthatcoughed.

Heart,youwereneverhot,Norlarge,norfulllikeheartsmadegreatwithshot;Andthoughyourhandbepale,PalerareallwhichtrailYourcrossthroughflameandhail:Weep,youmayweep,foryoumaytouchthemnot.

ApologiaproPoemateMeoI,too,sawGodthroughmudThemudthatcrackedoncheekswhenwretchessmiled.Warbroughtmoreglorytotheireyesthanblood,Andgavetheirlaughsmoregleethanshakesachild.

MerryitwastolaughthereWheredeathbecomesabsurdandlifeabsurder.ForpowerwasonusasweslashedbonesbareNottofeelsicknessorremorseofmurder.

I,too,havedroppedofffearBehindthebarrage,deadasmyplatoon,Andsailedmyspiritsurging,lightandclearPasttheentanglementwherehopeslaystrewn;

AndwitnessedexultationFacesthatusedtocurseme,scowlforscowl,Shineandliftupwithpassionofoblation,Seraphicforanhour;thoughtheywerefoul.

IhavemadefellowshipsUntoldofhappyloversinoldsong.ForloveisnotthebindingoffairlipsWiththesoftsilkofeyesthatlookandlong,

ByJoy,whoseribbonslips,Butwoundwithwar'shardwirewhosestakesarestrong;Boundwiththebandageofthearmthatdrips;Knitintheweldingoftherifle-thong.

IhaveperceivedmuchbeautyInthehoarseoathsthatkeptourcouragestraight;Heardmusicinthesilentnessofduty;Foundpeacewhereshell-stormsspoutedreddestspate.

Nevertheless,exceptyoushareWiththeminhellthesorrowfuldarkofhell,Whoseworldisbutthetremblingofaflare,Andheavenbutasthehighwayforashell,

Youshallnotheartheirmirth:YoushallnotcometothinkthemwellcontentByanyjestofmine.ThesemenareworthYourtears:Youarenotworththeirmerriment.November1917.

TheShowMysoullookeddownfromavagueheightwithDeath,AsunrememberinghowIroseorwhy,Andsawasadland,weakwithsweatsofdearth,Gray,crateredlikethemoonwithhollowwoe,Andfittedwithgreatpocksandscabsofplaques.

Acrossitsbeard,thathorrorofharshwire,Theremovedthincaterpillars,slowlyuncoiled.ItseemedtheypushedthemselvestobeasplugsOfditches,wheretheywrithedandshrivelled,killed.

BythemhadslimypathsbeentrailedandscrapedRoundmyriadwartsthatmightbelittlehills.

Fromgloom'slastdregstheselong-strungcreaturescrept,Andvanishedoutofdawndownhiddenholes.

(AndsmellcameupfromthosefoulopeningsAsoutofmouths,ordeepwoundsdeepening.)

Onditheringfeetupgathered,moreandmore,Brownstringstowardsstringsofgray,withbristlingspines,Allmigrantsfromgreenfields,intentonmire.

Thosethatweregray,ofmoreabundantspawns,Rampedontherestandatethemandwereeaten.

Isawtheirbittenbackscurve,loop,andstraighten,Iwatchedthoseagoniescurl,lift,andflatten.

Whereat,interrorwhatthatsightmightmean,Ireeledandshiveredearthwardlikeafeather.

AndDeathfellwithme,likeadeepeningmoan.AndHe,pickingamannerofworm,whichhalfhadhidItsbruisesintheearth,butcrawlednofurther,Showedmeitsfeet,thefeetofmanymen,Andthefresh-severedheadofit,myhead.

MentalCasesWhoarethese?Whysittheyhereintwilight?Whereforerockthey,purgatorialshadows,Droopingtonguesfromjawsthatslobtheirrelish,Baringteeththatleerlikeskulls'tongueswicked?Strokeonstrokeofpain,butwhatslowpanic,Gougedthesechasmsroundtheirfrettedsockets?EverfromtheirhairandthroughtheirhandpalmsMiseryswelters.SurelywehaveperishedSleeping,andwalkhell;butwhothesehellish?

ThesearemenwhosemindstheDeadhaveravished.Memoryfingersintheirhairofmurders,Multitudinousmurderstheyoncewitnessed.Wadingsloughsoffleshthesehelplesswander,Treadingbloodfromlungsthathadlovedlaughter.Alwaystheymustseethesethingsandhearthem,Batterofgunsandshatterofflyingmuscles,CarnageincomparableandhumansquanderRuckedtoothickforthesemen'sextrication.

ThereforestilltheireyeballsshrinktormentedBackintotheirbrains,becauseontheirsenseSunlightseemsabloodsmear;nightcomesblood-black;DawnbreaksopenlikeawoundthatbleedsafreshThustheirheadswearthishilarious,hideous,Awfulfalsenessofset-smilingcorpses.Thustheirhandsarepluckingateachother;Pickingattherope-knoutsoftheirscourging;Snatchingafteruswhosmotethem,brother,Pawinguswhodealtthemwarandmadness.

ParableoftheOldMenandtheYoungSoAbramrose,andclavethewood,andwent,Andtookthefirewithhim,andaknife.Andastheysojournedbothofthemtogether,Isaacthefirst-bornspakeandsaid,MyFather,Beholdthepreparations,fireandiron,Butwherethelambforthisburnt-offering?ThenAbramboundtheyouthwithbeltsandstraps,Andbuildedparapetsandtrenchesthere,Andstretch\edforththeknifetoslayhisson.Whenlo!anangelcalledhimoutofheaven,Saying,Laynotthyhanduponthelad,Neitherdoanythingtohim.Behold,Aramcaughtinathicketbyitshorns;OffertheRamofPrideinsteadofhim.Buttheoldmanwouldnotso,butslewhisson....

ArmsandtheBoyLettheboytryalongthisbayonet-bladeHowcoldsteelis,andkeenwithhungerofblood;Bluewithallmalice,likeamadman'sflash;Andthinlydrawnwithfamishingforflesh.

Lendhimtostroketheseblind,bluntbullet-headsWhichlongtomuzzleintheheartsoflads.Orgivehimcartridgesoffinezincteeth,Sharpwiththesharpnessofgriefanddeath.

Forhisteethseemforlaughingroundanapple.Therelurknoclawsbehindhisfingerssupple;AndGodwillgrownotalonsathisheels,Norantlersthroughthethicknessofhiscurls.

AnthemforDoomedYouthWhatpassing-bellsforthesewhodieascattle?Onlythemonstrousangeroftheguns.Onlythestutteringrifles'rapidrattleCanpatterouttheirhastyorisons.Nomockeriesforthem;noprayersnorbells,Noranyvoiceofmourningsavethechoirs,Theshrill,dementedchoirsofwailingshells;Andbuglescallingforthemfromsadshires.

Whatcandlesmaybeheldtospeedthemall?Notinthehandsofboys,butintheireyesShallshinetheholyglimmersofgoodbyes.Thepallorofgirls'browsshallbetheirpall;Theirflowersthetendernessofpatientminds,Andeachslowduskadrawing-downofblinds.

TheSend-offDowntheclose,darkeninglanestheysangtheirwayTothesiding-shed,Andlinedthetrainwithfacesgrimlygay.

TheirbreastswerestuckallwhitewithwreathandsprayAsmen'sare,dead.

Dullporterswatchedthem,andacasualtrampStoodstaringhard,Sorrytomissthemfromtheuplandcamp.Then,unmoved,signalsnodded,andalampWinkedtotheguard.

Sosecretly,likewrongshushed-up,theywent.Theywerenotours:Weneverheardtowhichfronttheseweresent.

NorthereiftheyyetmockwhatwomenmeantWhogavethemflowers.

ShalltheyreturntobeatingsofgreatbellsInwildtrainloads?Afew,afew,toofewfordrumsandyells,Maycreepback,silent,tostillvillagewellsUphalf-knownroads.

InsensibilityI

HappyaremenwhoyetbeforetheyarekilledCanlettheirveinsruncold.WhomnocompassionfleersOrmakestheirfeetSoreonthealleyscobbledwiththeirbrothers.Thefrontlinewithers,Buttheyaretroopswhofade,notflowersForpoets'tearfulfooling:Men,gapsforfillingLosseswhomighthavefoughtLonger;butnoonebothers.II

AndsomeceasefeelingEventhemselvesorforthemselves.DullnessbestsolvesTheteaseanddoubtofshelling,AndChance'sstrangearithmeticComessimplerthanthereckoningoftheirshilling.TheykeepnocheckonArmies'decimation.III

Happyarethesewholoseimagination:Theyhaveenoughtocarrywithammunition.Theirspiritdragsnopack.Theiroldwoundssavewithcoldcannotmoreache.Havingseenallthingsred,TheireyesareridOfthehurtofthecolourofbloodforever.Andterror'sfirstconstrictionover,Theirheartsremainsmalldrawn.TheirsensesinsomescorchingcauteryofbattleNowlongsinceironed,Canlaughamongthedying,unconcerned.IV

Happythesoldierhome,withnotanotionHowsomewhere,everydawn,somemenattack,Andmanysighsaredrained.Happytheladwhosemindwasnevertrained:Hisdaysareworthforgettingmorethannot.HesingsalongthemarchWhichwemarchtaciturn,becauseofdusk,Thelong,forlorn,relentlesstrendFromlargerdaytohugernight.V

Wewise,whowithathoughtbesmirchBloodoveralloursoul,Howshouldweseeourtask

Butthroughhisbluntandlashlesseyes?Alive,heisnotvitalovermuch;Dying,notmortalovermuch;Norsad,norproud,Norcuriousatall.HecannottellOldmen'splacidityfromhis.VI

Butcursedaredullardswhomnocannonstuns,Thattheyshouldbeasstones.Wretchedarethey,andmeanWithpaucitythatneverwassimplicity.BychoicetheymadethemselvesimmuneTopityandwhatevermournsinmanBeforethelastseaandthehaplessstars;Whatevermournswhenmanyleavetheseshores;WhateversharesTheeternalreciprocityoftears.

DulceetDecorumestBentdouble,likeoldbeggarsundersacks,Knock-kneed,coughinglikehags,wecursedthroughsludge,Tillonthehauntingflaresweturnedourbacks,Andtowardsourdistantrestbegantotrudge.Menmarchedasleep.Manyhadlosttheirboots,Butlimpedon,blood-shod.Allwentlame,allblind;Drunkwithfatigue;deafeventothehootsOfgas-shellsdroppingsoftlybehind.

Gas!GAS!Quick,boys!AnecstasyoffumblingFittingtheclumsyhelmetsjustintime,ButsomeonestillwasyellingoutandstumblingAndflound'ringlikeamaninfireorlime.Dimthroughthemistypanesandthickgreenlight,Asunderagreensea,Isawhimdrowning.

InallmydreamsbeforemyhelplesssightHeplungesatme,guttering,choking,drowning.

Ifinsomesmotheringdreams,youtoocouldpaceBehindthewagonthatweflunghimin,Andwatchthewhiteeyeswrithinginhisface,Hishangingface,likeadevil'ssickofsin,Ifyoucouldhear,ateveryjolt,thebloodComegarglingfromthefroth-corruptedlungsBitterasthecudOfvile,incurablesoresoninnocenttongues,Myfriend,youwouldnottellwithsuchhighzestTochildrenardentforsomedesperateglory,TheoldLie:DulceetdecorumestPropatriamori.

TheSentryWe'dfoundanoldBochedug-out,andheknew,Andgaveushell,forshellonfranticshellHammeredontop,butneverquiteburstthrough.Rain,gutteringdowninwaterfallsofslimeKeptslushwaisthigh,thatrisinghourbyhour,Chokedupthestepstoothickwithclaytoclimb.Whatmurkofairremainedstankold,andsourWithfumesofwhizz-bangs,andthesmellofmenWho'dlivedthereyears,andlefttheircurseintheden,Ifnottheircorpses....ThereweherdedfromtheblastOfwhizz-bangs,butonefoundourdooratlast.Buffetingeyesandbreath,snuffingthecandles.Andthud!flump!thud!downthesteepstepscamethumpingAndsplashingintheflood,delugingmuckThesentry'sbody;thenhisrifle,handlesOfoldBochebombs,andmudinruckonruck.Wedredgedhimup,forkilled,untilhewhined"Osir,myeyesI'mblindI'mblind,I'mblind!"Coaxing,IheldaflameagainsthislidsAndsaidifhecouldseetheleastblurredlightHewasnotblind;intimehe'dgetallright."Ican't,"hesobbed.Eyeballs,huge-bulgedlikesquidsWatchmydreamsstill;butIforgothimthereInpostingnextforduty,andsendingascoutTobegastretchersomewhere,andflounderingaboutTootherpostsundertheshriekingair.

Thoseotherwretches,howtheybledandspewed,Andonewhowouldhavedrownedhimselfforgood,Itrynottorememberthesethingsnow.Letdreadharkbackforonewordonly:howHalf-listeningtothatsentry'smoansandjumps,Andthewildchatteringofhisbrokenteeth,RenewedmosthorriblywhenevercrumpsPummelledtheroofandsloggedtheairbeneathThroughthedensedin,Isay,weheardhimshout"Iseeyourlights!"Butourshadlongdiedout.

TheDead-BeatHedropped,moresullenlythanwearily,Laystupidlikeacod,heavylikemeat,Andnoneofuscouldkickhimtohisfeet;Justblinkedatmyrevolver,blearily;Didn'tappeartoknowawarwason,Orseetheblastedtrenchatwhichhestared."I'lldo'emin,"hewhined,"Ifthishand'sspared,I'llmurderthem,Iwill."

Alowvoicesaid,"It'sBlighty,p'raps,hesees;hispluck'sallgone,Dreamingofallthevaliant,thatAREN'Tdead:Bolduncles,smilingministerially;Maybehisbraveyoungwife,gettingherfunInsomenewhome,improvedmaterially.It'snotthesestiffshavecrazedhim;northeHun."

Wesenthimdownatlast,outoftheway.Unwounded;stoutlad,too,beforethatstrafe.Malingering?Stretcher-bearerswinked,"Nothalf!"

NextdayIheardtheDoc.'swell-whiskiedlaugh:"Thatscumyousentlastnightsoondied.Hooray!"

ExposureI

Ourbrainsache,inthemercilessicedeastwindsthatknifeus...Weariedwekeepawakebecausethenightissilent...Lowdroopingflaresconfuseourmemoryofthesalient...Worriedbysilence,sentrieswhisper,curious,nervous,Butnothinghappens.

Watching,wehearthemadguststuggingonthewire.Liketwitchingagoniesofmenamongitsbrambles.Northwardincessantly,theflickeringgunneryrumbles,Faroff,likeadullrumourofsomeotherwar.Whatarewedoinghere?

Thepoignantmiseryofdawnbeginstogrow...Weonlyknowwarlasts,rainsoaks,andcloudssagstormy.DawnmassingintheeasthermelancholyarmyAttacksoncemoreinranksonshiveringranksofgray,Butnothinghappens.

Suddensuccessiveflightsofbulletsstreakthesilence.Lessdeadlythantheairthatshuddersblackwithsnow,Withsidelongflowingflakesthatflock,pauseandrenew,Wewatchthemwanderingupanddownthewind'snonchalance,Butnothinghappens.II

PaleflakeswithlingeringstealthcomefeelingforourfacesWecringeinholes,backonforgottendreams,andstare,snow-dazed,Deepintograssierditches.Sowedrowse,sun-dozed,Litteredwithblossomstricklingwheretheblackbirdfusses.Isitthatwearedying?

Slowlyourghostsdraghome:glimpsingthesunkfiresglozedWithcrusteddark-redjewels;cricketsjinglethere;Forhourstheinnocentmicerejoice:thehouseistheirs;Shuttersanddoorsallclosed:onusthedoorsareclosedWeturnbacktoourdying.

Sincewebelievenototherwisecankindfiresburn;Noreversunssmiletrueonchild,orfield,orfruit.ForGod'sinvinciblespringourloveismadeafraid;Therefore,notloath,welieouthere;thereforewereborn,ForloveofGodseemsdying.

To-night,Hisfrostwillfastenonthismudandus,Shrivellingmanyhandsandpuckeringforeheadscrisp.Theburying-party,picksandshovelsintheirshakinggrasp,Pauseoverhalf-knownfaces.Alltheireyesareice,Butnothinghappens.

SpringOffensiveHaltedagainsttheshadeofalasthill,Theyfed,and,lyingeasy,wereateaseAnd,findingcomfortablechestsandkneesCarelesslyslept.ButmanytherestoodstillTofacethestark,blankskybeyondtheridge,Knowingtheirfeethadcometotheendoftheworld.

Marvellingtheystood,andwatchedthelonggrassswirledBytheMaybreeze,murmurouswithwaspandmidge,ForthoughthesummeroozedintotheirveinsLiketheinjecteddrugfortheirbones'pains,Sharpontheirsoulshungtheimminentlineofgrass,Fearfullyflashedthesky'smysteriousglass.

HourafterhourtheyponderthewarmfieldAndthefarvalleybehind,wherethebuttercupsHadblessedwithgoldtheirslowbootscomingup,Whereeventhelittlebrambleswouldnotyield,Butclutchedandclungtothemlikesorrowinghands;Theybreatheliketreesunstirred.

TilllikeacoldgustthrilledthelittlewordAtwhicheachbodyanditssoulbegirdAndtightenthemforbattle.NoalarmsOfbugles,nohighflags,noclamoroushasteOnlyaliftandflareofeyesthatfacedThesun,likeafriendwithwhomtheirloveisdone.Olargershonethatsmileagainstthesun,Mightierthanhiswhosebountythesehavespurned.

So,soontheytoppedthehill,andracedtogetherOveranopenstretchofherbandheatherExposed.AndinstantlythewholeskyburnedWithfuryagainstthem;andsoftsuddencupsOpenedinthousandsfortheirblood;andthegreenslopesChasmedandsteepenedsheertoinfinitespace.

OfthemwhorunningonthatlasthighplaceLeapttoswiftunseenbullets,orwentupOnthehotblastandfuryofhell'supsurge,Orplungedandfellawaypastthisworld'sverge,SomesayGodcaughtthemevenbeforetheyfell.

Butwhatsaysuchasfromexistence'brinkVenturedbutdravetooswifttosink.Thefewwhorushedinthebodytoenterhell,Andthereout-fiendingallitsfiendsandflamesWithsuperhumaninhumanities,Long-famousglories,immemorialshamesAndcrawlingslowlyback,havebydegreesRegainedcoolpeacefulairinwonderWhyspeaktheynotofcomradesthatwentunder?

TheChancesImindas'owthenightaforethatshowUsfivegottalking,wewasintheknow,"Overthetopto-morrer;boys,we'reforit,Firstwaveweare,firstruddywave;that'storeit.""Ahwell,"saysJimmy,an''e'sseensomescrappin'"Thereain'tmorenorfivethingsascan'appen;Yegetknockedout;elsewoundedbadorcushy;Scuppered;ornowtexceptyerfeelingmushy."

Oneofusgottheknock-out,blowntochops.T'otherwashurt,like,losin'both'isprops.An'one,tousethewordof'ypocrites,'AdthemisfortoontobetookbyFritz.Nowme,Iwasn'tscratched,praiseGodAlmighty(ThoughnexttimepleaseI'llthank'imforablighty),ButpooryoungJim,'e'slivin'an''e'snot;'Ereckoned'e'dfivechances,an''e's'ad;'E'swounded,killed,andpris'ner,allthelotTheruddylotallrolledinone.Jim'smad.

S.I.W."IwilltotheKing,Andofferhimconsolationinhistrouble,Forthatmantherehassethisteethtodie,Andbeingonethathatesobedience,Discipline,andorderlinessoflife,Icannotmournhim."W.B.Yeats.Pattinggoodbye,doubtlesstheytoldtheladHe'dalwaysshowtheHunabraveman'sface;Fatherwouldsoonerhimdeadthanindisgrace,Wasproudtoseehimgoing,aye,andglad.PerhapshisMotherwhimperedhowshe'dfretUntilhegotanice,safewoundtonurse.Sisterswouldwishgirlstoocouldshoot,charge,curse,...Brotherswouldsendhisfavouritecigarette,Eachweek,monthaftermonth,theywrotethesame,ThinkinghimshelteredinsomeY.M.Hut,WhereonceanhourabulletmisseditsaimAndmissesteasedthehungerofhisbrain.Hiseyesgrewoldwithwincing,andhishandRecklesswithague.Courageleaked,assandFromthebestsandbagsafteryearsofrain.Butneverleave,wound,fever,trench-foot,shock,Untrappedthewretch.AnddeathseemedstillwithheldFortortureoflyingmachinallyshelled,Atthepleasureofthisworld'sPowerswho'drunamok.

He'dseenmenshoottheirhands,onnightpatrol,Theirpeopleneverknew.Yettheywerevile."Deathsoonerthandishonour,that'sthestyle!"SoFathersaid.

Onedawn,ourwirepatrolCarriedhim.Thistime,Deathhadnotmissed.Wecoulddonothing,butwipehisbleedingcough.Coulditbeaccident?Riflesgooff...Notsniped?No.(LatertheyfoundtheEnglishball.)

Itwasthereasonedcrisisofhissoul.AgainstthefiresthatwouldnotburnhimwholeButkepthimfordeath'sperjuryandscoffAndlife'shalf-promising,andboththeirriling.

Withhimtheyburiedthemuzzlehisteethhadkissed,AndtruthfullywrotetheMother"Timdiedsmiling."

FutilityMovehimintothesunGentlyitstouchawokehimonce,Athome,whisperingoffieldsunsown.Alwaysitwokehim,eveninFrance,Untilthismorningandthissnow.IfanythingmightrousehimnowThekindoldsunwillknow.

ThinkhowitwakestheseedsWoke,once,theclaysofacoldstar.Arelimbssodear-achieved,aresidesFull-nerved,stillwarm,toohardtostir?Wasitforthistheclaygrewtall?OwhatmadefatuoussunbeamstoilTobreakearth'ssleepatall?

Smile,Smile,SmileHeadtolimphead,thesunk-eyedwoundedscannedYesterday'sMail;thecasualties(typedsmall)And(large)VastBootyfromourLatestHaul.Also,theyreadofCheapHomes,notyetplanned;For,saidthepaper,"WhenthiswarisdoneThemen'sfirstinstinctwillbemakinghomes.Meanwhiletheirforemostneedisaerodromes,Itbeingcertainwarhasjustbegun.Peacewoulddowrongtoourundyingdead,ThesonsweofferedmightregrettheydiedIfwegotnothinglastingintheirstead.Wemustbesolidlyindemnified.ThoughallbeworthyVictorywhichallbought,WerulerssittinginthisancientspotWouldwrongourveryselvesifweforgotThegreatestglorywillbetheirswhofought,Whokeptthisnationinintegrity."Nation?Thehalf-limbedreadersdidnotchafeButsmiledatoneanothercuriouslyLikesecretmenwhoknowtheirsecretsafe.Thisisthethingtheyknowandneverspeak,ThatEnglandonebyonehadfledtoFrance(NotmanyelsewherenowsaveunderFrance).Picturesofthesebroadsmilesappeareachweek,AndpeopleinwhosevoicerealfeelingringsSay:Howtheysmile!They'rehappynow,poorthings.23rdSeptember1918.

ConsciousHisfingerswake,andflutterupthebed.Hiseyescomeopenwithapullofwill,Helpedbytheyellowmay-flowersbyhishead.Ablind-corddrawlsacrossthewindow-sill...Howsmooththefloorofthewardis!whatarug!Andwho'sthattalking,somewhereoutofsight?Whyaretheylaughing?What'sinsidethatjug?"Nurse!Doctor!""Yes;allright,allright."

ButsuddenduskbewildersalltheairThereseemsnotimetowantadrinkofwater.Nurselookssofaraway.AndeverywhereMusicandrosesburntthroughcrimsonslaughter.Cold;cold;he'scold;andyetsohot:Andthere'snolighttoseethevoicesbyNotimetodream,andaskheknowsnotwhat.

ATerre(BeingthephilosophyofmanySoldiers.)Sitonthebed;I'mblind,andthreepartsshell,Becareful;can'tshakehandsnow;nevershall.Botharmshavemutiniedagainstmebrutes.Myfingersfidgetliketenidlebrats.

Itriedtopegoutsoldierlynouse!Onediesofwarlikeanyolddisease.Thisbandagefeelslikepenniesonmyeyes.Ihavemymedals?Discstomakeeyesclose.Mygloriousribbons?RippedfrommyownbackInscarletshreds.(That'sforyourpoetrybook.)

Ashortlifeandamerryone,mybrick!Weusedtosaywe'dhatetolivedeadold,Yetnow...I'dwillinglybepuffy,bald,Andpatriotic.BufferscatchfromboysAtleastthejokeshurledatthem.IsupposeLittleI'deverteachason,buthitting,Shooting,war,hunting,alltheartsofhurting.Well,that'swhatIlearnt,that,andmakingmoney.Yourfiftyyearsaheadseemnonetoomany?TellmehowlongI'vegot?God!ForoneyearTohelpmyselftonothingmorethanair!OneSpring!Isonetoogoodtospare,toolong?Springwindwouldworkitsownwaytomylung,Andgrowmelegsasquickaslilac-shoots.Myservant'slamed,butlistenhowheshouts!WhenI'mluggedout,he'llstillbegoodforthat.Hereinthismummy-case,youknow,I'vethoughtHowwellImighthaveswepthisfloorsforever,I'dasknonightoffwhenthebustle'sover,Enjoyingsothedirt.Who'sprejudicedAgainstagrimedhandwhenhisown'squitedust,Lesslivethanspecksthatinthesun-shaftsturn,Lesswarmthandustthatmixeswitharms'tan?I'dlovetobeasweep,now,blackasTown,Yes,oramuckman.MustIbehisload?

OLife,Life,letmebreathe,adug-outrat!NotworsethanourstheexistencesratsleadNosingalongatnightdownsomesafevat,Theyfindashell-proofhomebeforetheyrot.Deadmenmayenvylivingmitesincheese,Orgoodgermseven.Microbeshavetheirjoys,Andsubdivide,andnevercometodeath,Certainlyflowershavetheeasiesttimeonearth."Ishallbeonewithnature,herb,andstone."Shelleywouldtellme.Shelleywouldbestunned;ThedullestTommyhugsthatfancynow."Pushingupdaisies,"istheircreed,youknow.Tograin,then,gomyfat,tobudsmysap,

Foralltheusefulnessthereisinsoap.D'youthinktheBochewilleverstewman-soup?Someday,nodoubt,if...Friend,beverysureIshallbebetteroffwithplantsthatshareMorepeaceablythemeadowandtheshower.Softrainswilltouchme,astheycouldtouchonce,Andnothingbutthesunshallmakemeware.Yourgunsmaycrasharoundme.I'llnothear;Or,ifIwince,IshallnotknowIwince.Don'ttakemysoul'spoorcomfortforyourjest.Soldiersmaygrowasoulwhenturnedtofronds,Butherethething'sbestleftathomewithfriends.

Mysoul'salittlegrief,grapplingyourchest,Toclimbyourthroatonsobs;easilychasedOnothersighsandwipedbyfresherwinds.

Carrymycryingspirittillit'sweanedTodowithoutwhatbloodremainedthesewounds.

WildwithallRegrets(Anotherversionof"ATerre".)

ToSiegfriedSassoonMyarmshavemutiniedagainstmebrutes!Myfingersfidgetliketenidlebrats,Myback'sbeenstiffforhours,damnedhours.DeathnevergiveshissquadaStand-at-ease.Ican'tread.There:it'snouse.Takeyourbook.Ashortlifeandamerryone,mybuck!Wesaidwe'dhatetogrowdeadold.Butnow,Nottoliveoldseemsawful:nottorenewMyboyhoodwithmyboys,andteach'emhitting,Shootingandhunting,alltheartsofhurting!Well,that'swhatIlearnt.That,andmakingmoney.Yourfiftyyearsinstoreseemnonetoomany;ButI'vefiveminutes.God!ForjusttwoyearsTohelpmyselftothisgoodairofyours!OneSpring!Isonetoohardtospare?Toolong?Springairwouldfinditsownwaytomylung,Andgrowmelegsasquickaslilac-shoots.

Yes,there'stheorderly.He'llchangethesheetsWhenI'mluggedout,oh,couldn'tIdothat?Hereinthiscoffinofabed,I'vethoughtI'dliketokneelandsweephisfloorsforever,Andasknonightsoffwhenthebustle'sover,ForI'denjoythedirt;who'sprejudicedAgainstagrimedhandwhenhisown'squitedust,Lesslivethanspecksthatinthesun-shaftsturn?Deardust,inrooms,onroads,onfaces'tan!I'dlovetobeasweep'sboy,blackasTown;Yes,oramuckman.MustIbehisload?Afleawoulddo.Ifonechapwasn'tbloody,Orwentstone-cold,I'dfindanotherbody.

WhichIshan'tmanagenow.Unlessit'syours.Ishallstayinyou,friend,forsomefewhours.You'llfeelmyheavyspiritchillyourchest,Andclimbyourthroatonsobs,untilit'schasedOnsighs,andwipedfromoffyourlipsbywind.

Ithinkonyourrichbreathing,brother,I'llbeweanedTodowithoutwhatbloodremainedmefrommywound.5thDecember1917.

DisabledHesatinawheeledchair,waitingfordark,Andshiveredinhisghastlysuitofgrey,Legless,sewnshortatelbow.ThroughtheparkVoicesofboysrangsaddeninglikeahymn,Voicesofplayandpleasureafterday,Tillgatheringsleephadmotheredthemfromhim.

AboutthistimeTownusedtoswingsogayWhenglow-lampsbuddedinthelight-bluetreesAndgirlsglancedlovelierastheairgrewdim,Intheoldtimes,beforehethrewawayhisknees.NowhewillneverfeelagainhowslimGirls'waistsare,orhowwarmtheirsubtlehands,Allofthemtouchhimlikesomequeerdisease.

Therewasanartistsillyforhisface,Foritwasyoungerthanhisyouth,lastyear.Nowheisold;hisbackwillneverbrace;He'slosthiscolourveryfarfromhere,Poureditdownshell-holestilltheveinsrandry,Andhalfhislifetimelapsedinthehotrace,Andleapofpurplespurtedfromhisthigh.Onetimehelikedabloodsmeardownhisleg,Afterthematchescarriedshoulder-high.Itwasafterfootball,whenhe'ddrunkapeg,Hethoughthe'dbetterjoin.Hewonderswhy...Someonehadsaidhe'dlookagodinkilts.

That'swhy;andmaybe,too,topleasehisMeg,Aye,thatwasit,topleasethegiddyjilts,Heaskedtojoin.Hedidn'thavetobeg;Smilingtheywrotehislie;agednineteenyears.Germanshescarcelythoughtof;andnofearsOfFearcameyet.HethoughtofjewelledhiltsFordaggersinplaidsocks;ofsmartsalutes;Andcareofarms;andleave;andpayarrears;Espritdecorps;andhintsforyoungrecruits.Andsoon,hewasdraftedoutwithdrumsandcheers.

Somecheeredhimhome,butnotascrowdscheerGoal.OnlyasolemnmanwhobroughthimfruitsThankedhim;andtheninquiredabouthissoul.Now,hewillspendafewsickyearsinInstitutes,Anddowhatthingstherulesconsiderwise,Andtakewhateverpitytheymaydole.To-nighthenoticedhowthewomen'seyesPassedfromhimtothestrongmenthatwerewhole.Howcoldandlateitis!Whydon'ttheycomeAndputhimintobed?Whydon'ttheycome?

TheEndAftertheblastoflightningfromtheeast,Theflourishofloudclouds,theChariotthrone,AfterthedrumsoftimehaverolledandceasedAndfromthebronzewestlongretreatisblown,

ShallLiferenewthesebodies?OfatruthAlldeathwillheannul,alltearsassuage?OrfillthesevoidveinsfullagainwithyouthAndwashwithanimmortalwaterage?

WhenIdoaskwhiteAge,hesaithnotso,"Myheadhangsweighedwithsnow."AndwhenIhearkentotheEarthshesaithMyfieryheartsinksaching.Itisdeath.MineancientscarsshallnotbeglorifiedNormytitanictearstheseasbedried."

[Endoforiginaltext.]

Appendix

GeneralNotes:Due to thegeneralcircumstancessurroundingWilfredOwen,andhisdeathoneweek

beforethewarended,itshouldbenotedthat thesepoemsarenotall intheirfinalform.Owenhadonlyhadafewofhispoemspublishedduringhislifetime,andhispaperswereinastateofdisarraywhenSiegfriedSassoon,hisfriendandfellowpoet,puttogetherthisvolume. The 1920 edition was the first edition of Owen's poems, the 1921 reprint (ofwhich this is a transcript) added one moreand nothing else happened until EdmundBlunden's 1931 edition. Evenwith that edition, there remained gaps, and severalmoreeditionsaddedmoreandmorepoemsandfragments,invariousforms,asitwasdifficultto tell which of Owen's drafts were his final ones, until Jon Stallworthy's "CompletePoemsandFragments"(1983) includedall thatcouldbefound,andtriedtoput theminchronologicalorder,withthelatestrevisions,etc.Therefore,itshouldnotbesurprisingifsomeormostofthesepoemsdifferfromlater

editions.After Owen's death, his writings gradually gained pre-eminence, so that, although

virtuallyunknownduringthewar,hecameintohighregard.BenjaminBritten,theBritishcomposerwhosetnineofOwen'sworksas thetextofhis"WarRequiem"(shortlyaftertheSecondWorldWar),calledOwen"byfarourgreatestwarpoet,andoneofthemostoriginalpoetsofthiscentury."(Owenisespeciallynotedforhisuseofpararhyme.)Fiveof thosenine textsaresomeformofpoems includedhere, towit: 'AnthemforDoomedYouth', 'Futility', 'Parable of the Old Men and the Young', 'The End', and 'StrangeMeeting'.Theotherfourwere '[BuglesSang]', 'TheNextWar', 'Sonnet[Beslowlyliftedup]'and'AtaCalvaryNeartheAncre'allofwhichthereadermaywishtopursue,beingsomeofOwen'sfinestwork.Fortunately,thepoemwhichIconsiderhisbest,andwhichisoneofhismostquoted'DulceetDecorumest',isincludedinthisvolume.

Transcriber'sSpecificNotes:Blighty:England,orawoundthatwouldtakeasoldierhome(toEngland).S.I.W.:SelfInflictedWound.ParableoftheOldMenandtheYoung:AretoldstoryfromtheBible,butwithadifferent

ending.Thephrase"Abramboundtheyouthwithbeltsandstraps"referstotheyouthwho

went towar,withall theirequipmentbeltedandstrappedon.Otherversionsof thispoemhaveanadditionalline.Dulce et Decorum est: The phrase "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" is a Latin

phrasefromHorace,andtranslatesliterallysomethinglike"Sweetandproperit isforyourcountry(fatherland)todie."Thepoemwasoriginallyintendedtobeaddressedtoanauthorwho had written war poems for children. "Dim through the misty panes . . ." should beunderstoodbyanyonewhohaswornagasmask.AlanR.Light.Monroe,NorthCarolina,July,1997.

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POEMSWith an Introduction by Siegfried SassoonIntroductionPOEMSPrefaceStrange MeetingGreater LoveApologia pro Poemate MeoThe ShowMental CasesParable of the Old Men and the YoungArms and the BoyAnthem for Doomed YouthThe Send-offInsensibilityDulce et Decorum estThe SentryThe Dead-BeatExposureSpring OffensiveThe ChancesS. I. W.FutilitySmile, Smile, SmileConsciousA TerreWild with all RegretsDisabledThe EndAppendix