Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Friday, January 17, 2020

An Illustrated "Anthem for Doomed Youth"


Anthem for Doomed Youth
BY WILFRED OWEN

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.



Photos from Tony Langley's Collection

2 comments:

  1. (applause)
    Excellent combination of that fierce poem with those images.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Incredible combination of words and images.

    ReplyDelete