Anthem For Doomed Youth

 

external image 0_59997_6d0f5941_XL.jpgAnthem For Doomed Youth

By Wilfred Owen

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 good-byes.
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.


References

Owen, Wilfred. “Anthem For Doomed Youth.” The War Poetry Web Site. 1999. Saxon Books. 04 December 2007. http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/owen2.html

“Two British Soldiers…” http://ir-ingr.livejournal.com/763265.html


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Murjani Rawls

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