I saw battle-corpses, myriads of them, And the white…
“I saw battle-corpses, myriads of them, And the white skeletons of young men-I saw them; I saw the debris and debris of all the dead soldiers of the war; But I saw they were not as was thought; They themselves were fully at rest-they suffer'd not; The living remain'd and suffer'd-the mother suffer'd, And the wife and the child, and the musing comrade suffer'd, And the armies that remain'd suffer'd.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet recounts war’s devastation, noting that while soldiers are at peace in death, the living continue to suffer.
In simple terms: War leaves lasting sorrow for those left behind.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the hidden costs of conflict.
Themes
war
suffering
memory
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family grief
- veteran support
- peace advocacy
Key Concepts
human cost
trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do survivors have?
- How can societies heal collective trauma?
A Different Perspective
May romanticize sacrifice.