I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Leave a guest comment (subject to review)
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
-
PLEASE HELP (YN)
From guest Jamieeee (contact)
How can i comment on the quote "The Hell Where Youth And Laughter Go" ? Thanks
-
-
for Jamieee
I'm not clear on what you mean exactly but the last line of this poem is the quote you refer to. You can make your comment right here.
Von - Oldpoetry Team
-
-
-
-
-
Suicide in the trenches
From guest Kirsty Lang (contact)
i am studying This poem at the minute in english, it is a great poem and has a true meaning behind the lines. Is there more than it seems in the war. -
The real truth is that no one actually knows how they would act in such depressing and cruel circumstances, not until they are forced into them, and then it may be too late.
-
i love this poem so much. we studied this amongst some of his other poems and some of Wilfred Owens poem. both amazing writers.
-
I love this poem, I had to write about this for my English coursework. I really enjoyed writing about it...it's such a brilliant poem
.
-
this poem; i love it.
From guest anarawr; (contact)
The poem discusses the affects of wars in regard to ways in which people and societies changed, and how the entire concept of patriotism – fighting or defending the country – seems honourable and completely glorified, although the absolute reality of the matter is the harsh, cruelness that the war environment presents. Young men were generally content individuals prior to their call of duty, although the cold emptiness of the war destroyed all pleasantries and goodness; leading the particular soldier mentioned in the poem to have committed suicide, as the conditions were too rough and painful. The reality of war is that it is in fact quite horrific – beyond the possible comprehension of a person who has not experienced it firsthand. Although patriotism was widely promoted, when gazing amongst broad seas of dead bodies, soldiers were bound to not feel patriotic. The basic concepts portrayed in the poem are entirely based around the horrifying experience which war entails. The writer is attempting to position the audience to recognise the destruction which war causes; impacting everyone from individuals to nations, to countries worldwide. “Suicide in the Trenches” was written in regard to World War One, which the author of the poem served in. In WWI, millions of soldiers were slaughtered – amongst these were not only men, but boys. He writes, “I knew a simple soldier boy,” which causes the reader to depict a young man – any common boy. However, such boys as this did not lead a common life; they were stolen away by a country’s selfishness and massacred beside their comrades. Sassoon also comments on the attitudes of those who are not experiencing the horror that is presented to such young boys, and scalds these crowds for celebrating the men who are subjected to such terrors. The author could perhaps be insinuating that the encouragement of society is what leads boys to attempt to become men; and the only method which they can find to do so is by participating in war. but yeah. basically, i love it ^____^ -
me
From guest blob (contact)
it is so sad, it makes me cry...i mean a young, carefree man ending his own life????? what is the point of war?? it is so so stupid -
-
poem
From guest reece russell (contact)
it shows that the wars can be so violent that they can make a carefree boy commit suicide -
-
Suicide In The Trenches
From guest History-Geek (contact)
My favourite war poem. I think Sassoon is bitter that the folks at home don't know about the horrors of war. Doing an essay on it now :) -
I read this poem with as much empathy as possible to be able to understand why he killed himself. After many hours of reading about these men, place and conditions I do understand why.
Sassoon is saying that it's a good thing that those folk at home who cheer on the soldiers as they went off to war had no idea of the hell they were going to and it's a good thing they didn't, and to thank god for their ignorance. It's a bitter-sweet poem with judgement on the dead boy, as they too could understand why he took his own way out.
Von
-
It was really touching. I think that htere is no need to fight and wars are not a good thing at all. People have to live in peace and never ever fight. But not all people think so... so the world is crumbling. In your poem you expressed the life of most soliders (because some of them enjoy fighting... really). Well Done!!!
-
Sassoon hits home, as much today as in any of the wars we fought. Too bad the politicans and the wealthy couldn.t get to experience it first hand.
-
It does have a haunting feeling to it but the cadence is just too much for such a societal and haunting piece. But that's my opinion on that.
It's a nice piece but I feel that it's nothing more than that but it does show an aspect of 'war' but at the same time it just shows an aspect of 'society' in general under extreme situations.
The 'boy' ran out of alcohol to drown the images that he saw and the actions that he may have committed and couldn't take it and thus took his pistol and shot himself -- my impression. Sometimes, as stated by those who are against suicide in general, he took the 'coward's' way out, but sometimes the 'coward', in my opinion, shows a way out that is plausible.
-
This is my favorit poem.. period, its brilliant! its dark! and its just an awsome write!
-
One of my favourite war poems. It is so so simple but is so so dark- amazing. Love "the hell where youth and laughter go". It almost makes you feel guilty for not having know such hellish times. For enjoying the poem but unable to fully grasp what it stands for. I hope we never do.
-
ah i read this two years ago and wrote an awful essay on it, which later became a good essay that helped me scrape a pass, i loved this when i first read it. My teacher wasn't so keen, but i thought it was amazing. his bluntness, and then the bitterness to the people "you smug-faced crowds with kindling eye" brilliant line.
-
Once more, the price to pay for war, and fighting for 'freedom'.
The misinterpretations of the people, and the darkness in which most are caught. I loved the form, using accurate wording and precise timing to catch each rhyme at its juncture. Lines that imposed themselves on me were 'he put a bullet through his brain' because it is so straightforwards. No adornments. But even with the allegro rhyme scheme, there was not much perky in this piece. Become aware.
Peace
Chris
Adding your comment:
1 - 12 of 12
