Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DUG-OUT by SIEGFRIED SASSOON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY DO YOU LIE WITH YOUR LEGS UNGAINLY HUDDLED
Last Line: AND WHEN YOU SLEEP YOU REMIND ME OF THE DEAD.
Subject(s): WORLD WAR I; FIRST WORLD WAR;
WHY do you lie with your legs ungainly huddled,
And one arm bent across your sullen, cold,
Exhausted face? It hurts my heart to watch you,
Deep-shadow'd from the candle's guttering gold;
And you wonder why I shake you by the shoulder;
Drowsy, you mumble and sigh and turn your head...
You are too young to fall asleep for ever;
And when you sleep you remind me of the dead.




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