|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A LETTER FROM THE FRONT, by HENRY JOHN NEWBOLT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I was out early today, spying about Last Line: But it struck me as being extremely ludicrous. Subject(s): World War I; First World War | |||
I WAS out early to-day, spying about From the top of a haystack—such a lovely morning— And when I mounted again to canter back I saw across a field in the broad sunlight A young Gunner Subaltern, stalking along With a rook-rifle held at the ready, and—would you believe it?— A domestic cat, soberly marching beside him. So I laughed, and felt quite well disposed to the youngster, And shouted out "the top of the morning" to him, And wished him "Good sport!"—and then I remembered My rank, and his, and what I ought to be doing: And I rode nearer, and added, "I can only suppose You have not seen the Commander-in-Chief's order Forbidding English officers to annoy their Allies By hunting and shooting." But he stood and saluted And said earnestly, "I beg your pardon, Sir, I was only going out to shoot a sparrow To feed my cat with." So there was the whole picture, The lovely early morning, the occasional shell Screeching and scattering past us, the empty landscape,— Empty, except for the young Gunner saluting, And the cat, anxiously watching his every movement. I may be wrong, and I may have told it badly, But it struck me as being extremely ludicrous. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES WAR PROFITS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE UNCHANGEABLE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |
| |