Poetry Owen, Wilfred: Poems. v1, 15 Aug 2008

[HarryT]

Description from Wikipedia:

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC (March 18, 1893 – November 4, 1918) was an English poet and soldier, regarded by many as the leading poet of the First World War. His shocking, realistic war poetry on the horrors of trench and gas warfare was heavily influenced by his friend Siegfried Sassoon and sat in stark contrast to both the public perception of war at the time, and to the confidently patriotic verse written earlier by war poets such as Rupert Brooke. Some of his best-known works—most of which were published posthumously—include Dulce Et Decorum Est, Insensibility, Anthem for Doomed Youth, Futility and Strange Meeting.

He is perhaps just as well-known for having been killed in action at the Battle of the Sambre just a week before the war ended, causing news of his death to reach home as the town's church bells declared peace.

This is not an easy read, but I defy anyone to read it without a tear coming to their eye. It truly portrays the horror of trench warfare in the First World War.

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[induna]

Harry,

Thanks for this one.

Anyone who is moved by Wilfred Owen's poetry, or the horrible cost of War in general, and who like orchestral music might want to find a copy of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem which interleaves the traditional Requiem Mass with Mr. Owen's poetry. It is, in my opinion, one of the Great musical works of the 20th century.

[HarryT]

I completely agree.