Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THIEPVAL WOOD by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE TIRED AIR GROANS AS THE HEAVIES SWING OVER, THE RIVER-HOLLOWS
Last Line: NOR THE BLUE JAVELIN-FLAME OF THUNDEROUS NOONS STRIKE FEAR.
Subject(s): FORESTS; WOODS;
The tired air groans as the heavies swing over, the river-hollows boom;
The shell-fountains leap from the swamps, and with wildfire and fume
The shoulder of the chalkdown convulses.
Then jabbering echoes stampede in the slatting wood,
Ember-black the gibbet trees like bones or thorns protrude
From the poisonous smoke -- past all impulses.
To them these silvery dews can never again be dear,
Nor the blue javelin-flame of thunderous noons strike fear.


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