Wilfred Owen, Strange Meeting, 1 Quotes

A collection of quotes by Wilfred Owen, Strange Meeting, 1.

Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) was an English poet and soldier during World War I. He is recognized as one of the leading poets of the war and is known for his poignant and realistic depictions of the horrors of trench warfare. Owen's works often reflect the brutal realities of war, challenging the romanticized notions of heroism and patriotism. His famous poem, "Strange Meeting," explores the encounter between a dead soldier and his enemy in a dream-like setting, emphasizing the shared humanity and futility of war. Owen tragically died in action, just one week before the Armistice.

It seemed that out of battle I escaped Down some profound dull tunnel, long since scooped Through granites which titanic wars had groined. Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned, Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.Then, as I probed them, one sprang up, and stared With piteous recognition in fixed eyes,Lifting distressful hands, as if to bless. And by his smile, I knew that sullen hall, - By his dead smile I knew we stood in Hell. With a thousand pains that vision's face was grained;Yet no blood reached there from the upper ground, And no guns thumped, or down the flues made moan. 'Strange friend,' I said, 'here is no cause to mourn.''None,' said that other, 'save the undone years, The hopelessness. Whatever hope is yours, Was my life also; I went hunting wild After the wildest beauty in the world, Which lies not calm in eyes, or braided hair, But mocks the steady running of the hour, And if it grieves, grieves richlier than here.For by my glee might many men have laughed,And of my weeping something had been left, Which must die now. I mean the truth untold, The pity of war, the pity war distilled.http://www.pitt.edu/~pugachev/greatwar/owen.html

Wilfred Owen, Strange Meeting, 1

War