His wild heart beats with painful sobs,
His strain'd hands clench an ice-cold rifle,
His aching jaws grip a hot parch'd tongue,
His wide eyes search unconsciously.
He cannot shriek.
Bloody saliva
Dribbles down his shapeless jacket.
I saw him stab
And stab again
A well-killed Boche.
This is the happy warrior,
This is he…
Notes
From THE WAR POETS, edited by Robert Giddings, Orion Books, New York, © 1988, p. 138.
CN
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
-
english hwk.
From guest liata marr!xox (contact)
hi my name is liata marr, and im studying this poem in english. could any help me with the techinques used in this poem p.s i love charlie x -
-
strin'd
From guest Martin (contact)
Does anyone know what he means by the word "strin'd" in the second line? I thought it could be "strained" and that would fit with the context, however it doesn't seem perfect. Thanks! -
-
For guest Martin and others
I believe the second line should read "his strain'd hands" it does seem to fit the context better. It is however possible that it is a typo for the phrase "his stain'd hands" (blood stained!)
The apostrophe cutting of the more emphatic strain-ed or stain-ed seems to better fit the piece.
Someone needs to check the printed version!
-
-
?
From guest bartek klej (contact)
huh its ok i guess. its not my type of course. i have a different view -
Wordsworth/Read
From guest Amanda Blue (contact)
Actually this is an answer to Wordsworth Character of The Happy Warrior that is absolutely briliant. Check it out. -
William Wordsworth
From guest Amanda Blue (contact)
His poem of the same name picks up where Read leaves off and I find it amazing. -
Powerful
From guest Mememe (contact)
Thank you, this is exactly what I'm looking for. Very powerful, full of meaning.
-
WOWZAH!!
From guest TruuStaar (contact)
Good stuff!!! Really good poem, short yet soo powerful and strong good stuff mate!!! -
Awsome
From guest Laurie (contact)
Thanks for the poem, I'm using it for a project at school,but don't worry, I will use a bibliography. Anyway, it's a very simple poem, filled with strong words, I absoulutely love it. -
Adding your comment:
