Poets of World War one

1)

Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) "How to Die"
Dark clouds are smouldering into red

While down the craters morning burns.

The dying soldier shifts his head

To watch the glory that returns;

He lifts his fingers toward the skies

Where holy brightness breaks in flame;

Radiance reflected in his eyes,

And on his lips a whispered name.

You'd think, to hear some people talk,

That lads go West with sobs and curses,

And sullen faces white as chalk,

Hankering for wreaths and tombs and hearses.

But they've been taught the way to do it

Like Christian soldiers; not with haste

And shuddering groans; but passing through it

With due regard for decent taste.

2) The author is describing the brave soldiers on a battle field as they lay there dying with dignity. As the soldier lays there the sun is rising and there is a lot of commotion around like bombs, guns firing and fire. While hes dying and he sees brave bodies around him that died with dignity.

3) Sassoon was an English poet and author, he was best known as a writer anti-war verse during World War I. He came from a very wealthy Indian merchant family but he was disinherited for marring a woman outside of his faith. He studied law and history in college and he dropped out without a degree. He spent many years hunting, playing cricket and published a few not highly acclaimed poetry. He was motivated by patriotism and joined the military. He broke his arm in a riding accident and was discharged from the military. His younger brother was killed and it hit him hard. Sasson met Robert Graves who was also a poet and Sasson was influenced by him and began to write more truthful and tragic poetry about the war.