Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MEN OF VERDUN, by LAURENCE BINYON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: There are five men in the moonlight Last Line: Is written on their flesh. Subject(s): Verdun, Battle Of (1916); World War I; First World War | ||||||||
THERE are five men in the moonlight That by their shadows stand; Three hobble humped on crutches, And two lack each a hand. Frogs somewhere near the roadside Chorus their chant absorbed: But a hush breathes out of the dream-light That far in heaven is orbed. It is gentle as sleep falling And wide as thought can span, The ancient peace and wonder That brims the heart of man. Beyond the hills it shines now On no peace but the dead, On reek of trenches thunder-shocked, Tense fury of wills in wrestle locked, A chaos crumbled red! The five men in the moonlight Chat, joke, or gaze apart. They talk of days and comrades, But each one hides his heart. They wear clean cap and tunic, As when they went to war; A gleam comes where the medal's pinned: But they will fight no more. The shadows, maimed and antic, Gesture and shape distort, Like mockery of a demon dumb Out of the hell-din whence they come That dogs them for his sport: But as if dead men were risen And stood before me there With a terrible fame about them blown In beams of spectral air, I see them, men transfigured As in a dream, dilate Fabulous with the Titan-throb Of battling Europe's fate; For history's hushed before them, And legend flames afresh, Verdun, the name of thunder, Is written on their flesh. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN FOR THE FALLEN (SEPTEMBER 1914) by LAURENCE BINYON |
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