Siegfried Sassoon 1886-1967

Siegfried Sassoon was a solider and a poet during World War I. He was recognized as hero in his efforts with helping a wounded soldier to safety while he to was wounded. While recuperating he began to write letters about the war being prolonged, and refused to return to the battle. He was was returned later to battle and was wounded again. After the war, he began writing poetry that gave a realistic view of the soldiers encounter and thoughts. He didn't paint a picture of commitment but one that is horrifying and gruesome sight for any creature to behold. .He paints a picture of one that is real in the eyes of the soldiers that lived this experience, survived the battle and now have to deal with the repercussions or the after thoughts of this walk. Here's an example of his writing.

"Glory of Women"

You love us when we're heroes, home on leave,

Or wounded in a mentionable place.

You worship decorations; you believe

That chivalry redeems the war's disgrace.

You make us shells. You listen with delight,

By tales of dirt and danger fondly thrilled.

You crown our distant ardors while fight,

And mourn our laurelled memories when we're killed.

You can't believe that British troops "retire'

When hell's last horror breaks them, and they run,

Trampling the terrible corpses- blind with blood.

O German mother dreaming by the fire,

While you are knitting socks to send your son

His face is trodden deeper in the mud.

Craiglockhart, 1917

I feel that he expresses the sentiments of all veterans of war. Know one honestly knows of all the horrible things soldiers have endured for the sake of a country's freedom, and yet we are quick to forget them while they laboring and fighting on the battlefield or even when or if they return home. Let's not forget about the troops!