Dead Poets Daily

Share this post

Anthem for Doomed Youth

www.deadpoetsdaily.com

Anthem for Doomed Youth

Wilfred Owen

Jul 6, 2022
Share this post

Anthem for Doomed Youth

www.deadpoetsdaily.com
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.
Share this post

Anthem for Doomed Youth

www.deadpoetsdaily.com
Previous
Next
TopNew

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Dead Poets Daily
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing