We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, and engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."
This quote from "Dead Poets Society" reflects the importance of poems for every aspect of life to reminisce the pain of death, poems on war, or termed 'War Poetry', capture themes such as questions of life, desire, guilt, innocence, compassion, humanity, loyalty, duty, courage, death, terror, trauma, horrendous imagery of war and the aftermath.
All the while, war poems have served the purpose of carrying these themes across generations, a historical framework to understand war with a particular emotion-provoking language. Randall Jarrell was the first to introduce this genre of literature in his essay "The Literature of War", poems on war can give us insights into the war, its aspects, different eras of war, and when these poems were written. The onset of writing war poems started with soldiers and civilians filled with frustrations, sufferings, conflicts, suffocating living conditions, the pain of loss, and dying hope sort of resorting to writing it all out as an outlet for their extremely exhausting emotional and physical experiences because of war.
The first-hand veterans, 'War Poets', denote those who participate in war and write about their experiences, they can be also written by non-combatants, like civilians who experience from the sidelines of a war that impacts them in psychophysical and social realms. War poets can be of any nationality, writing about any war, which has been prevalent since the Greeks, but the term came in use for soldiers of the First World War who wrote poems on war as an outlet of feelings and a pastime. Whenever war surfaced in the world, these poets touched with the same episode of agony, shock, and ordeal and filled the void with expressions; a language to describe the horrifying events that unfolded like World Wars, Civil Wars, holocaust, life in concentration camps during wars, refugees, and countless stories compressed in poetic lines.
This list of poems on war gives you a personal insight into a world filled with war.
The Iliad by Homer
Greek history embraces brimming literature representing its culture since the very first instance of civilization, the 8th century BC, that's also when this poem on war is believed to be written by Homer, who is accredited for writing this masterpiece besides the 'Odyssey' of Greek literature. The Greeks believed the war to have occurred sometime during the Bronze Age, 13th century BCE, they narrated and retold the poem like lore as an oral heritage. The influence of this legacy can be seen in the introductory phrases, fighting descriptions, repetition of epithets, and mirrored parallel sequences or multi-perspective episodic themes of war and gore, honor and betrayal, pain and pathos, love and hatred, fate and inexorable, pride and arrogance, glory and heroism, and, devastation and destruction revolving around the Trojan War, between an alliance of Greek cities and the city of Troy in Anatolia.
Just like other epics of Greek gods, this poem presents tragic events following the abduction of Queen Helen of Sparta by the Trojan prince Paris, duels of Greek gods, and Achilles' significance in the poem. There is a rhythmic flow within the poem describing horrendous battles fuelled with arrogant and raging emotions, arranged line by line to prevent monotonous breaks with contrasting similes of human morality, called it 'Menis', pointing out if this war is even worth the peace being destroyed and sacrificed and yearning to restore it. Being one of a kind in terms of a poem, orderly arranged by scholars in Alexandria into 24 books and about 15,693 lines long, it has been speculated that such a monumental event of such a scale ever took place. Aesthete readers who love to read anthology works should add 'The Iliad', a poem on war, to their collection.
The Charge Of The Light Brigade by Alfred Lord Tennyson
When soldiers accept their sense of duty and conduct, they surrender under the layers of obligation, sacrifice, and unconditional bravery. The backdrop of this poem on war is based on Crimean War(1853-1855) fought against Russia by an alliance of Britain, France, Turkey, and Sardinia, under which the battle of Balaclava was fought marking an important event in the history of European military and battlefield bravery. The Charge Of The Light Brigade, a British cavalry unit is associated with this battle, on whom Tennyson has written this poem reflecting a catastrophic yet marvelous might of cavalry making them heroes who led to victory by sacrificing themselves for what history calls 'suicidal commands', miscommunication and misinformation among the British leaders.
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the Valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the Valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die
The poem is composed in six stanzas, a motion-picture-like structure line-by-line with rhyming lines; the galloping “clip-clop” sound of the light brigade’s horses created in "Half a league, half a league", as they ride towards the valley of death. This repetition and use of meter in the poem are used intentionally to highlight specific links between lines with important significance about the happenings and horrors of war. The structure of this poem does not follow that of a sonnet or villanelle, the flow of the poem creates chaotic, unpredictable scenarios concerning the war, adding to this unevenness, Tennyson has kept the speaker's identity, gender, class, and personal involvement in war hidden to maintain the 'allusion' in the poem, the only clue on the speaker is that they support England in the Crimean war and not a part of the six-hundred light brigades. To make the reader experience a visual-kinetic effect through the poem on war, Tennyson has used various literary devices such as metaphor, consonance, enjambment, assonance, anaphora, parallelism, and caesura.
Battle-Hymn Of The Republic by Julia Ward Howe
"Battle-Hymn Of The Republic" is a patriotic and powerful poem written by Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War in 1861. The poem's verses are filled with biblical references, allusions to America's history and the abolitionist movement, and a strong sense of righteous anger against slavery and the Confederacy. It became widely popular and eventually transformed into a beloved American hymn, representing the country's fight for freedom and equality.
MCMXIV by Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin's "MCMXIV" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that reflects on the impact of World War I on British society. The poem is structured around the year "1914," which is written out in Roman numerals, and presents a vivid picture of pre-war England, capturing the idyllic and serene nature of life before the onset of the conflict. Through detailed descriptions of people and their everyday activities, the poem highlights the sense of innocence and optimism that characterized pre-war society. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes darker, and Larkin's observations reveal the ominous clouds of war that were gathering over the country. The final stanza, which describes the crowds gathering to enlist, is particularly powerful, as it contrasts the initial descriptions of peace and tranquility with the reality of war's brutal and devastating impact. Overall, "MCMXIV" is a moving reflection on the horrors of war and a powerful reminder of the human toll of conflict.
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
"In Flanders Fields" is a moving and iconic poem that was written by Canadian physician Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during World War I. The poem is set in the Flanders region of Belgium, which was the site of some of the deadliest battles of the war.
The poem begins with the image of rows of crosses marking the graves of fallen soldiers, which serve as a haunting reminder of the high cost of war. The opening lines "In Flanders fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row" are particularly memorable and have come to symbolize the sacrifices made by those who served in the war.
Throughout the poem, McCrae uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey the horrors of war, including the sound of gunfire and the sight of larks singing above the battlefield. He also addresses the fallen soldiers directly, urging them to continue the fight even in death:
"Take up our quarrel with the foe/To you from failing hands we throw/The torch; be yours to hold it high."
The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as McCrae calls on the living to honor the sacrifices made by the fallen by continuing to fight for peace:
"If ye break faith with us who die/We shall not sleep, though poppies grow/In Flanders fields.
Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
"Dulce et Decorum Est" is a poem by a British soldier and poet Wilfred Owen, written during World War I. It describes a gas attack on a group of soldiers and the devastating effects it has on them. The poem is a condemnation of the glorification of war and the idea that it is honorable to die for one's country, as the soldiers in the poem suffer greatly before dying. Owen uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the horror of war and the senselessness of its glorification.
The poem's title is taken from a Latin phrase that means "it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country," which was a commonly held belief at the time. However, Owen's graphic description of the gas attack and its aftermath, including the haunting image of a soldier dying in front of him, challenges this idea. Ultimately, "Dulce et Decorum Est" is a powerful anti-war statement that calls into question the idea of war as heroic and noble, and instead depicts it as a brutal and dehumanizing experience.
The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner by Randall Jarrell
"The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner" is a five-line poem by American poet Randall Jarrell. It was first published in 1945, towards the end of World War II, and is considered one of Jarrell's most famous works. The poem is often regarded as a powerful and haunting commentary on the brutality of war and the dehumanizing effects of combat.
The poem's title refers to the ball turret, a small, enclosed compartment on the underside of a bomber plane where a gunner would sit, operating a machine gun. The ball turret was one of the most vulnerable and dangerous positions on the plane, as it was highly exposed to enemy fire and provided little protection for the gunner.
The poem begins with the line "From my mother's sleep I fell into the State," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of falling from a mother's sleep suggests the idea of birth, and the line implies that the speaker was born into the world of war, which is represented by the State. This suggests that the speaker did not choose to enter the world of war but was forced into it by circumstance.
The second line of the poem describes the speaker hunched in the belly of the ball turret, emphasizing the cramped and confined space in which the gunner operated. The image of being hunched also suggests the speaker's vulnerability and powerlessness in the face of danger.
The third line of the poem describes the speaker's physical experience in the ball turret, highlighting the harsh conditions of war. The gunner's "wet fur" freezing suggests the cold and discomfort of being exposed to the elements, while the phrase "hunched in its belly" emphasizes the speaker's sense of confinement and entrapment.
The fourth line of the poem describes the moment when the speaker's plane is hit by enemy fire and begins to fall from the sky. The image of being "loosed from its dream of life" suggests the sudden and violent loss of life, as well as the fragility of the plane and the lives that it carried.
The final line of the poem describes the gunner's final moments as he wakes to the sound of "the black flak and the nightmare fighters." This emphasizes the chaos and horror of war and suggests the gunner's ultimate fate as he falls from the sky.
Attack by Siegfried Sassoon
"Attack" is a poem written by Siegfried Sassoon, a British poet and soldier who served in World War I. The poem describes a soldier's experience of going "over the top" in a battle, where he is confronted with the brutal reality of war. The poem is a powerful reflection on the horrors of war and is widely regarded as one of Sassoon's most famous works.
The poem begins with the soldiers getting ready to go into battle, and the speaker describes the scene as "the moment when the shell / With sliding screech-whistle snatched them from their hell." This line conveys the sense of chaos and confusion that accompanies a battle, as soldiers are suddenly thrust into a violent and unpredictable situation.
As the soldiers move forward, the speaker describes the horrors they encounter, including "fumbling" corpses, "yelling" shells, and "groping" bayonets. These vivid images convey the sense of chaos and violence that characterizes a battle and highlight the physical and emotional tolls of war.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the larger themes of war and human suffering. He suggests that war is a senseless and pointless endeavor that brings only death and destruction and that those who fight in wars are forced to confront the very worst aspects of human nature.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful and moving. The speaker declares that "In war the dead pay debts / Small gains." This suggests that even in victory, the costs of war are too high, as the lives lost cannot be replaced. This line conveys the sense of tragedy and loss that is inherent in war and reminds the reader of the human cost of conflict.
Tankas by Shoda Shinoe
The poem "Tankas" by Shoda Shinoe explores several themes, including the transience of life, the beauty of nature, and the devastating impact of war on innocent lives. The poem is structured as a series of tanka, a traditional Japanese poetic form, and each tanka offers a different perspective on these themes.
The first two tanka describe the beauty of cherry blossoms and the impermanence of that beauty. The third and fourth tanka shift the focus to the tragic consequences of war, including the loss of innocent lives and the lingering pain and suffering of those who are left behind. The final tanka returns to the image of the cherry blossoms, but with a sense of sadness and loss, reflecting on the human toll of war and the way that suffering is always present, even in moments of beauty.
Overall, the poem offers a poignant meditation on the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing beauty and goodness amid tragedy and loss. The poem also highlights the devastating impact of war on innocent lives, a theme that is especially poignant given Japan's experiences during World War II and its aftermath.
We Lived Happily During the War by Ilya Kaminsky
The poem is set in a dystopian world where war is a constant presence, and people have become desensitized to its violence and destruction. In this world, language has lost its power to describe or resist the horrors of war, and the poem suggests that words and language have become complicit in the perpetuation of violence. The title of the poem, "We Lived Happily During the War," is deliberately ironic, suggesting that even in a world consumed by violence, people can still find ways to live and even thrive. However, the poem suggests that this happiness is superficial and ultimately meaningless, as the violence and destruction of war continue to shape and define the world around them.
Kaminsky uses striking images and metaphors to convey the horrors of war and how language has been corrupted and co-opted by those in power. This poem on war challenges our assumptions about the relationship between war, language, and human experience, suggesting that our ability to communicate and connect with one another may be one of the casualties of war.
Driving through Minnesota during the Hanoi Bombings by Robert Bly
This poem on war reflects on the poet's experience of driving through the Midwestern landscape of Minnesota during the Vietnam War, while the United States was bombing Hanoi. The poem is structured as a series of vignettes that contrast the peaceful beauty of the Midwestern landscape with the violence and destruction of war.
In the opening stanza, the speaker describes the quiet, pastoral setting of the countryside and the pleasure of driving on a peaceful road. In the next stanza, the speaker is jolted out of this peaceful reverie by the sound of a jet flying overhead. The speaker imagines that the jet is on its way to dropping bombs on Hanoi, and feels a sense of horror and guilt at being complicit in the violence. The speaker reflects on the irony of the situation, noting that the same landscape he is enjoying is being destroyed by bombs in a far-off country. The speaker also reflects on the sense of complicity that he feels as an American citizen who is indirectly supporting the war effort.
The speaker concludes with a plea for peace, understanding, and compassion in a world torn apart by conflict and violence.
The Iraqi Nights by Dunya Mikhail
"The Iraqi Nights" is the title poem of the collection by Dunya Mikhail, and it reflects on the experiences of Iraqi women during the Iraq War and its aftermath. The poem describes the pain and suffering of the war, as well as the resilience and strength of the Iraqi people.
The first section, "The War Works Hard," focuses on the violence and destruction of the war, and the impact it has on women and children in particular. The poems in this section describe the fear and uncertainty of life during the war and how women must navigate a world of violence and chaos. The second section, "Baghdad Monologue," offers a more personal perspective, with poems that are written in the first person and offer a glimpse into the lives of women who have lost loved ones, been displaced from their homes, or otherwise. The third section, "Diary of a Wave Outside the Sea," reflects on the experiences of Iraqi women who have fled the country as refugees. This section describes the pain of leaving home and family behind and the struggles of adapting to a new life in a foreign land.
The final section, "Love Poems After the War," offers a sense of hope and renewal, with poems that celebrate love, family, and community. These poems on war suggest that, despite the devastation of the war, there is still beauty and resilience to be found in the world. The poet has presented images of bombs and missiles raining down on Iraqi cities, due to which the Iraqi people may be battered and bruised, but they are still standing, and they will continue to fight for their lives and their freedom.
An Irish Airman foresees his Death by William Butler Yeats
This poem on war is a powerful exploration of the complexities of war, patriotism, and the human condition. Through the voice of the airman, Yeats challenges readers to consider their own beliefs about life, death, and the role of individual purpose in the face of conflict. The poem is written from the perspective of an Irish airman who is about to fly for the British Royal Air Force during World War I. The airman reflects on his own death, which he foresees as being somewhere in the clouds above.
He acknowledges that he is fighting for the British, who have historically oppressed his Irish people, but he sees his participation in the war as a way to escape the boredom and aimlessness of his life. He says:
Those that I fight I do not hate / Those that I guard I do not love.
He does not have a strong attachment to the cause he is fighting for, but he sees the war as a way to give his life meaning and purpose. He sees death as an inevitable and natural outcome of life and believes that his own death will be a part of a larger cycle of life and death.
ODE FOR THE AMERICAN DEAD IN ASIA by Thomas McGrath
In the above-mentioned poems on war, there is a poem about the Vietnam War from an individual perspective, in this poem, the viewpoint follows the lives of American soldiers who have to serve because of duty and profession and pressure from the government irrespective of their personal take on the war and how it affects people from both the country.
The poem begins with a description of the Asian landscape, with its vibrant colors and ancient history. The speaker acknowledges the sacrifice of the American soldiers who fought and died in this foreign land, and wonders if their deaths will be remembered and honored. The speaker laments the fact that many of the soldiers were young men who had not yet had the chance to truly live their lives, and questions the government's decision to send them to fight in a war that they did not fully understand, their actions were motivated more by personal gain and political power than by a desire to protect American citizens or promote freedom. The poem raises questions on the ethics and morals of political leaders and preaches faith in peace and justice and the importance of human lives.
Lament to the Spirit of War by Enheduanna
War is not a solution to any of the problems of civilization and this is yet not understood by mankind in power no matter how much of a destructive force a war is. Since early civilization, war has been raged and has seen people pleading to stop it, those who are immensely impacted by it even without adding fuel to the spirit of war.
This poem on war by Enheduanna, a Sumerian priestess and poet who lived in ancient Mesopotamia around 2300 BCE. The poem is an invocation to the spirit of war, the poem begins with the speaker addressing the spirit of war, urging it to listen to her plea. asking it to leave the people of the city alone and spare them from its violence. She describes the devastation and suffering that war brings and asks the spirit to consider the toll it takes on both the victors and the vanquished.
The speaker then appeals to the spirit of peace, asking it to come and restore order and harmony to the city. She expresses her desire for peace and safety for the people who have suffered from the destruction of war. The poem ends with a lament for those who have already been killed or injured in the fighting. The priestess has emphasized the tragedy and horrors of war, which are a testament to the enduring power of poetry to express the deepest feelings and emotions of the human spirit.
Life at War by Denise Levertov
The poem is a powerful critique of the destructive impact of war on human life and society. The poet describes the chaos and confusion that accompanies war, with bombs falling and people dying. She also depicts the sense of loss and grief that permeates every aspect of life during wartime.
An important theme in this poem on war is the impact of war on human relationships, war destroys not only human lives but also the bonds of love and trust that connect people to one another. She describes the sense of isolation and loneliness that comes with war, as people are forced to retreat into their own private worlds of pain and suffering.
The poet suggests that the only way to overcome the destructive force of war is through the power of love and compassion.
Not Dead by Robert Graves
This poem gives a poignant description of the experience of a soldier who has been wounded in battle but survives and holds onto the hope of being found alive in time.
Soldiers fighting in a war are the first-hand victims of the horrors of war and their duty makes them a link in the manifestation of the horrors of war, their actions ruled by officials. But first, as a human, they have to fight to survive, fight for stance, fight for protection, fight for a sense of their responsibility and they have families praying for their safety and hoping for the day when everything ends and they reunite again. While those survive to see the light of day and meet their loved ones but countless sacrifiers lie dead somewhere untraceable, leaving behind going to an eternity of peace.
The soldier describes his experience of being "shot through the heart" and the sense of disorientation and confusion that he feels as a result. Despite the severity of his injury, however, the soldier is not dead, and he describes the feeling of relief and gratitude that he experiences when he realizes that he is still alive. This poem on war is an account of Graves' own experience as a soldier during World War I and his understanding of the fragility and preciousness of life in the face of war.
Nocturne by Tadeusz Różewicz
The poet is Polish but lived in Asia during World War II, the poem is a reflection on the horrors of war and the way that violence and trauma can haunt the human psyche.
The poem begins with a description of the night, which is personified as a "black cat" that "slinks along the wall." The speaker describes the way that the night brings with it memories of war and violence, and he reflects on the way that these memories continue to haunt him. Różewicz delves deeper into the psychological impact of war. He describes the way that the trauma of violence can change a person forever, leaving them with "an empty skull / full of shattered crystals."
The poem is a haunting reflection on the legacy of war and the way that violence can reverberate through generations. The poet has used language very craftily to evoke the perception of trauma that returns from the thought of war, he is experiencing a psychological condition of PTSD; post-traumatic stress disorder, and he is unable to recover from the terrifying events he witnessed during the war which has also affected his physical condition.
The Shadow of War by Miraji
As the title suggests, the poem suggests how remorseful the build-up and explosion of war has been for each individual, those innocent lives were exploited and ended due to the choices and actions of those greed-filled, politically manipulated officials.
The poem was written in 1946, during the turbulent period of the Indian Independence movement and the aftermath of World War II by Miraji, a renowned Urdu poet from India. The opening lines describe the looming shadow of war and the fear and anxiety it brings. Miraji reflects on the deeper causes of war, including greed, hatred, and a desire for power. He questions the wisdom of those who start wars and the senselessness of the violence they unleash. Following the pattern, the poet ends the poem by urging us to work towards a world free from war and conflict and to recognize our common humanity.
Memorial Day for the War Dead" by Yehuda Amicha
There is very little understanding of those who survive and live through the aftermath of such drastic events, they must carry on with the left behinds of those gone. The families of soldiers, comrades, children, unfulfilled promises, and unspoken facets of life they must move on with.
The poem begins with a description of a military cemetery, with rows of graves marking the final resting places of soldiers who have died in war, their graves are a testament to the sacrifices made by these individuals. The scars of war are not limited to those who have died on the battlefield but also extend to the survivors who must live with the memories and trauma of the violence. Amichai employs vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the emotional weight of war and the need for remembrance and mourning. He describes the cemetery as a "field of red poppies," evoking the idea of bloodshed and sacrifice, and suggests that even the flowers and trees in the cemetery are "mourners" for the dead.
The cemetery is full of people who do not belong there
The air is full of our cries
Memory is a kind of accomplishment
The street takes you with it wherever you want to go
The fallen soldiers are silent and in their silence they have a song
Each man has a cemetery in his heart
All these poems on war do not just depict and project misery, pity, and horrors of war but also leave a message for the readers on the importance of peace, even though we are familiar with the concept of peace and employ different ways to gain peace, however, the peace intended here is a ground for larger humanity. Because we humans are the ones who start the war, are impacted by the war, and suffer the consequences of it. Although this blog alone won't prevent a war from happening but would contribute to a social understanding. These are some limited poems, but there are manifold poems filled with despair, helplessness, suffering, prayer for normality, and restoration even if it lasts a day by people of all cultures that transcend the language barrier.
From a literary perspective, there are different genres of war poetry such as "Anti-war poems", and "Poetry of Witness"; in which a poet expresses their anguish and is apolitical but reflects social cause, the analysis of these poems gives the impression of the use of realism, satire, irony, and meticulous imagism. The poets at the time of writing were not aware of the literary turn their poems for personal expression and relief would take, but with a record of these poems, we can understand such intricate, unvoiced horrors of war and grieving humans.
