A Poem A Day
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) was an English poet, writer, and soldier, best known for his powerful and poignant poetry about the First World War. Born into a wealthy Jewish family, Sassoon was educated at Cambridge University before joining the British Army at the outbreak of the war in 1914.
During his service, Sassoon witnessed firsthand the horrors of trench warfare, which profoundly influenced his writing. His poetry, characterized by its raw, uncompromising depiction of the realities of war, stood in stark contrast to the patriotic and romanticized narratives prevalent at the time. Sassoon's works, such as "The Old Huntsman" (1917) and "Counter-Attack and Other Poems" (1918), were critical of the war effort and the government's handling of the conflict.
In 1917, Sassoon made a bold anti-war statement, refusing to return to duty after being wounded. Although he narrowly escaped court-martial, he was eventually sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital, where he met fellow poet Wilfred Owen. Together, they formed a close friendship and had a significant influence on each other's work.
After the war, Sassoon continued to write, producing novels, memoirs, and poetry. His post-war works, such as "The Complete Memoirs of George Sherston" (1937) and "Siegfried's Journey" (1945), explored themes of disillusionment, personal growth, and the long-lasting impact of the war on society.
Siegfried Sassoon's contributions to war literature and his unwavering commitment to exposing the truth about the realities of combat have solidified his place as one of the most important poets and writers of the 20th century.
Suicide in Trenches by Siegfried Sassoon 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 […]
The Fathers by Siegfried Sassoon Snug at the club two fathers sat, Gross, goggle-eyed, and full of chat. One of them said: “My eldest lad Writes cheery letters from Bagdad. But Arthur’s getting all the fun At Arras with his nine-inch gun.” “Yes,” wheezed the other, “that’s the luck! My boy’s quite broken-hearted, stuck […]
The Hero by Siegfried Sassoon “Jack fell as he’d have wished,” the Mother said, And folded up the letter that she’d read. “The Colonel writes so nicely.” Something broke In the tired voice that quavered to a choke. She half looked up. “We mothers are so proud Of our dead soldiers.” Then her face was […]
WIRERS by Siegfried Sassoon “Pass it along, the wiring party’s going out”? And yawning sentries mumble, “Wirers going out.” Unravelling; twisting; hammering stakes with muffled thud, They toil with stealthy haste and anger in their blood. The Boche sends up a flare. Black forms stand rigid there, Stock-still like posts; then darkness, and the clumsy […]
COUNTER-ATTACK by Siegfried Sassoon ? We’d gained our first objective hours before While dawn broke like a face with blinking eyes, Pallid, unshaved and thirsty, blind with smoke. Things seemed all right at first. We held their line, With bombers posted, Lewis guns well placed, And clink of shovels deepening the shallow trench. The place […]
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)
Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967)
Siegfried Sassoon was a British poet born Sept. 8, 1886. He died in 1967. Sassoon was served in World War I.
