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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES, by SIEGFRIED SASSOON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: I knew a simple soldier boy
Last Line: The hell where youth and laughter go.
Subject(s): Soldiers' Writings; World War I; First World War
First Line: I knew a simple soldier boy
Last Line: The hell where youth and laughter go.
Subject(s): Soldiers' Writings; World War I; First World War
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 lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
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