Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STAND-TO: GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, by SIEGFRIED SASSOON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STAND-TO: GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'd been on duty from two till four
Last Line: And get my bloody old sins washed white!
Subject(s): Army Life; Good Friday; Holidays; Holy Week; Soldiers' Writings; World War I; Drills & Minor Tactics; First World War


I'D been on duty from two till four.
I went and stared at the dug-out door.
Down in the frowst I heard them snore.
'Stand to!' Somebody grunted and swore.
Dawn was misty; the skies were still;
Larks were singing, discordant, shrill;
They seemed happy; but I felt ill.
Deep in water I splashed my way
Up the trench to our bogged front line.
Rain had fallen the whole damned night.
O Jesus, send me a wound to-day,
And I'll believe in Your bread and wine,
And get my bloody old sins washed white!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net