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| Wilfred Owen. |
Died: 4 November 1918, Sambre-Oise Canal, France.
Wilfred Owen is widely accepted as one of the leading poets of the first world war, and my idol, if you like. He is most famous for his war poetry, portraying the horrors of war. He had been writing poetry long before the war, and was influenced by John Keats and P.B Shelley.
When he was diagnosed with shell shock, he was sent to Craiglockhart (war hospital), and there he met Siegfried Sassoon. He was greatly influenced by Siegfried Sassoon, and this shows in some of his most famous poetry, such as "Anthem for Doomed Youth".
My thoughts: As you may have guessed, Wilfred Owen is my favourite poet. His poetry allows us to see what it was really like for a young man in the trenches, and how horrifying it was. The shocking, and often alarming images shown in his poetry make the reader think, and realise how horrendous it was for the soldiers of the great war.
From his description of a man being killed by gas:
Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
-Taken from "Dulce et Decorum Est".
To his account of a lonely man, disabled by war:
Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal.
Only a solemn man who brought him fruits
Thanked him; and then inquired about his soul.
Now, he will spend a few sick years in Institutes,
And do what things the rules consider wise,
And take whatever pity they may dole.
To-night he noticed how the women's eyes
Passed from him to the strong men that were whole.
How cold and late it is! Why don't they come
And put him into bed? Why don't they come?
-Taken from "Disabled".
Wilfred Owen is truly a fantastic poet, and if you haven't already, I recommend reading his poetry.
I usually carry a book of his poetry around with me, particularly on the days we are told to read during form (registration) at school. Most good book stores will have a section on war poetry.
