Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE OWL, by PHILIP EDWARD THOMAS



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OWL, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved
Last Line: Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.
Alternate Author Name(s): Eastaway, Edward; Thomas, Edward
Subject(s): Birds; Owls; World War I; First World War


Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved;
Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof
Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest
Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof.

Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest,
Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I.
All of the night was quite barred out except
An owl's cry, a most melancholy cry

Shaken out long and clear upon the hill,
No merry note, nor cause of merriment,
But one telling me plain what I escaped
And others could not, that night, as in I went.

And salted was my food, and my repose,
Salted and sobered, too, by the bird's voice
Speaking for all who lay under the stars,
Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.






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