Exploring the profound impact of war through poetry's lens

THE SOLDIER

Rupert Brooke's patriotic sonnets

This sonnet was written by Rupert Brooke in 1914 and it is about the great love for England and the heroism of a soldier who fought in World War I. I love this poem because Rupert Brooke is able to perfectly describe the great heroism of a soldier who fights only for the mother country. I think it is a real masterpiece.

PEACE

This sonnet was written by Rupert Brooke at the beginning of the First World War in 1914. In this poem he explains the great fortune of his generation to be born to fight in the First World War. I like this poem for the great passion that Rupert Brooke gives to words and for the patriotic sense which emerges from them.

IN MEMORIAM

Edward Thomas's poignant war imagery

this poem was written by Edward Thomas and it is about war, which separates soldiers from their sweethearts. I like this poem because I think that Edward Thomas, through the use of a very simple language, is able to perfectly describe the feelings of sadness and homesickness associated with war.

THE CHERRY TREES

This poem written by Edward Thomas is about a road full of cherry trees petals, which don’t represent a beautiful thing, but symbolize death. I really like this poem because I think it’s very touching, especially the image of the petals which cover the grass as for a wedding: I feel thrilled.

Siegfried Sassoon's war perspectives

This poem was written by Edward Thomas in 1917 and it is about the desolation caused by the war. In fact, the author describes Adlestrop railway station, which is only characterised by lack of life. I really like this poem because it perfectly describes the bad atmosphere caused by the war. Moreover, I am very impressed by this poem because it is not like most of the other war poems which describe the horror of this terrible experience, but it concentrates on another important aspect: nature. I am sure it is one of the most beautiful poems written by Edward Thomas.

THEY

This poem was written by Siegfried Sassoon in 1916 and it deals with war, which is seen from the point of view of a Bishop, and especially from the terrible, but realistic point of view of soldiers. I love this poem because Siegfried Sassoon perfectly describes the war effects and the disasters that it provokes in soldiers. I think it is a very masterpiece because it is very impressive and easy to remember.

SUICIDE IN THE TRENCHES

this poem was written by Siegfried Sassoon in 1918 and it is about the feelings of sorrow and despair of a soldier who commits suicide. I love this poem because it is a touching description of the hard life in trenches. Sassoon uses strong words which make this poem a real masterpiece among the war poems of all times.

GLORY OF WOMEN

This poem was written by Siegfried Sassoon in 1918 and it is about the strength of women who have someone dear at war. I love this poem because it perfectly describes the feelings of women who have a husband, a son or a boyfriend at war. I think it is very touching and impressive.

THE GENERAL

This poem was written by Siegfried Sassoon in 1917 and it is about the incompetence and the cowardice which often characterize the commanders in the forces. I love this poem because it is very simple, but strong and impressive. I am sure it is one of the most beautiful poems written by Siegfried Sassoon.

FUTILITY

This poem was written by Wilfred Owen in 1918 and it is about a soldier who died while fighting in France in World War I. I love this poem because it is very touching. I like the way Wilfred Owen uses the words because they are very simple, but impressive.

ANTHEM OF THE DOOMED YOUTH

This poem was written by Wilfred Owen in 1917 and it is a moving description of the war and all the sorrow associated with it. I really like “Anthem of the doomed youth” because it is one of the most touching and impressive poems I’ve ever read: it perfectly describes the sorrow of the war and the death of the soldiers.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

This poem was written by John McCrae in 1915. The speakers of the poem are the soldiers who died in the Flanders fields and hope that someone could fight for them. I like this poem because the author perfectly describes the feelings of the soldiers who want to win the war and hope that someone could fight for them. Finally, it can be connected to a poem written in 1915 in reply to John McCrae by the American author Miss Moira Michael: this poem is called "We shall Keep the Faith".

VERGISSMEINNICHT

Keith Douglas's wartime reflections

his poem was written by Keith Douglas in 1943 and it is about the satisfaction of the soldiers who first killed the enemy (a German soldier), but then noticed the photo of his German girlfriend and understood that he was not only a soldier, but first of all he was a man. I love this poem because it is very impressive and makes you imagine the sorrow caused by the war. It is one of the most touching poems I’ve ever read.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Adrian Henri's wartime memories

This poem was written by Adrian Henri in 1971 and it is an autobiography of the author in which he remembers when he was a child during World War II. I love this poem because it is a very interesting description of war which make you understand the atmosphere of that time. Moreover, it can be connected to the songs of a British singer famous at that time, Vera Lynn, for example “We’ll meet again” which deals with soldiers going off to fight and their families. Finally, it can also be connected to the songs of a group of American singers, the Andrew Sisters, who entertained soldiers during the World War II, especially in America, Africa and Italy.

THE MAN HE KILLED

This poem was written by Thomas Hardy in 1902 and it is about a man who kills another one simply because they are fighting on opposing sides in a war. I like this poem because Thomas Hardy, through the use of a very simple language, is able to describe the futility and the senselessness of war. It is a real masterpiece.