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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TRENCH DUTY, by SIEGFRIED SASSOON Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Shaken from sleep, and numbed and scarce awake
Last Line: Blank stars. I'm wide-awake; and some chap's dead.
Subject(s): Soldiers' Writings; World War I; First World War
First Line: Shaken from sleep, and numbed and scarce awake
Last Line: Blank stars. I'm wide-awake; and some chap's dead.
Subject(s): Soldiers' Writings; World War I; First World War
SHAKEN from sleep, and numbed and scarce awake,
Out in the trench with three hours' watch to take,
I blunder through the splashing mirk; and then
Hear the gruff muttering voices of the men
Crouching in cabins candle-chinked with light.
Hark! There's the big bombardment on our right
Rumbling and bumping; and the dark's a glare
Of flickering horror in the sectors where
We raid the Boche; men waiting, stiff and chilled,
Or crawling on their bellies through the wire.
'What? Stretcher-bearers wanted? Some one killed?'
Five minutes ago I heard a sniper fire:
Why did he do it? ... Starlight overhead --
Blank stars. I'm wide-awake; and some chap's dead.
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