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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ANTHEM FOR DOOMED YOUTH, by WILFRED OWEN Recitation Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? Last Line: And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. Subject(s): Mortality; Mourning; Soldiers; Soldiers' Writings; World War I; Youth; Bereavement; First World War | |||
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle? -- Only the monstrous anger of the guns. Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle Can patter out their hasty orisons. No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -- The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells; And bugles calling for them from sad shires. What candles may be held to speed them all? Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes. The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall; Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds, And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds. | 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 A TERRE (BEING THE PHILOSOPHY OF MANY SOLDIERS) by WILFRED OWEN |
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