"When You See Millions of the Mouthless Dead" by Charles Hamilton Sorley (poetry reading)

Captain Sorley, a Scotsman, was one of the great poets of the First World War. He was killed by a sniper at the Battle of Loos on October 13, 1915. He was just 20 years old. This sonnet was found in his kit.
http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/poet/305.html

The photograph is of the British cemetery at Loos.

Another Scottish hero of Loos was Piper Daniel Laidlaw, who got up in full view of the enemy and marched up and down the trenches playing the bagpipes until he was wounded. His courage inspired the men to attack. He survived the war and was awarded the Victoria Cross.

It is particularly poignant that Harry Patch, the last veteran of WW1 died on 25th July, 2009. He was only 3 years younger than Captain Charles Sorley but he outlived him by 94 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Patch

I was embarrassed to discover that this was recorded by another contributor a day or two ago. No rivalry is intended. Here's a link to to the other reading which is excellent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDFm1rvuALA

When you see millions of the mouthless dead
Across your dreams in pale battalions go,
Say not soft things as other men have said,
That you'll remember. For you need not so.
Give them not praise. For, deaf, how should they know
It is not curses heaped on each gashed head?
Nor tears. Their blind eyes see not your tears flow.
Nor honour. It is easy to be dead.
Say only this, "They are dead." Then add thereto,
"Yet many a better one has died before."
Then, scanning all the o'ercrowded mass, should you
Perceive one face that you loved heretofore,
It is a spook. None wears the face you knew.
Great death has made all his for evermore.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Millions
• Mouthless
• Dead
• Charles
• Hamilton
• Sorley

[cocklesandmussels]

Another wasted life - one of so many duped into sacrificing themselves for a heartless ruling elite. Heroes - I wonder?

[ZechsMerquise73]

What an amazing poem. And truer than most poets ever speak about death; well, he actually saw what he described.

[MrOddlyPoetic]

Very good. Particularly the last few lines. Really makes the reader feel the power of death over life

[scifiwritir1]

Love this poem, as well.

[doubledouble70]

Battle of Loos saw the first use of gas. The London Regiment went to the front on Red London Buses. Thought I'd share what I know

[Heuri1]

@andycowley17 Was he a Fusilier by any chance?

I know there is a battlefield tour of Loos this year which is not as common a visit as say the Somme or Ypres.

I hope you do go some day.

[andycowley17]

My great uncle died at Loos on 13th October 1915 I am now looking to learn more. Will probably go there eventually.

[greyhoundfriend123]

That is really sad. And sadder still that I had not heard this before and most never will. Keep up the great work! Awesome voice.

[PaleAfternoon]

Great reading. I love the last four lines.

[thallassocracy]

My second favourite of all English WWI poems (after WW Gibson's Mark Anderson).

Sorley captures the waste of it - the sheer pointlessness - in a way better-remembered poets rarely do.