Siegfried Sassoon Poems on Soldiers (16 Poems)

How to Die (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

Dark clouds are smouldering into red While down the craters morning burns. The dying soldier shifts his head To watch the glory that returns; He lifts his fingers toward the skies Where holy brightness breaks in flame; Radiance reflected in … Continue reading →

The Dreamers (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

Soldiers are citizens of death’s gray land, Drawing no dividend from time’s to-morrows. In the great hour of destiny they stand, Each with his feuds, and jealousies, and sorrows. Soldiers are sworn to action; they must win Some flaming, fatal … Continue reading →

The Redeemer (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

Darkness: the rain sluiced down; the mire was deep; It was past twelve on a mid-winter night, When peaceful folk in beds lay snug asleep; There, with much work to do before the light, We lugged our clay-sucked boots as … Continue reading →

Falling Asleep (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

Voices moving about in the quiet house: Thud of feet and a muffled shutting of doors: Everyone yawning. Only the clocks are alert. Out in the night there’s autumn-smelling gloom Crowded with whispering trees; across the park A hollow cry … Continue reading →

Joy-Bells (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

Ring your sweet bells; but let them be farewells To the green-vista’d gladness of the past That changed us into soldiers; swing your bells To a joyful chime; but let it be the last. What means this metal in windy … Continue reading →

Fight to a Finish (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

The boys came back. Bands played and flags were flying, And Yellow-Pressmen thronged the sunlit street To cheer the soldiers who’d refrained from dying, And hear the music of returning feet. ‘Of all the thrills and ardours War has brought, … Continue reading →

Concert Party (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

(EGYPTIAN BASE CAMP) They are gathering round…. Out of the twilight; over the grey-blue sand, Shoals of low-jargoning men drift inward to the sound- The jangle and throb of a piano … tum-ti-tum… Drawn by a lamp, they come Out … Continue reading →

In Barracks (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

The barrack-square, washed clean with rain, Shines wet and wintry-grey and cold. Young Fusiliers, strong-legged and bold, March and wheel and march again. The sun looks over the barrack gate, Warm and white with glaring shine, To watch the soldiers … Continue reading →

Editorial Impressions (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

He seemed so certain ‘all was going well’, As he discussed the glorious time he’d had While visiting the trenches. ‘One can tell You’ve gathered big impressions!’ grinned the lad Who’d been severely wounded in the back In some wiped-out … Continue reading →

The Road (Siegfried Sassoon Poems)

The road is thronged with women; soldiers pass And halt, but never see them; yet they’re here- A patient crowd along the sodden grass, Silent, worn out with waiting, sick with fear. The road goes crawling up a long hillside, … Continue reading →