'As Though Nothing But Joy Came After!'

At the back of the first American edition of his Great War memoir Undertones of War (1929), Edmund Blunden appends a selection of thirty-one poems he titles, with perhaps mock-formality, “A Supplement of Poetical Interpretations and Variations.” Often the poems describe not combat but intervals between engagements and knowledge that the respite will be brief. As always, Blunden observes the pastures, livestock and orchards of the French countryside, and the ravages they have sustained in the fighting. Here is “At Senlis Once”: “O how comely it was and how reviving, When with clay and with death no longer striving Down firm roads we came to houses With women chattering and green grass thriving. “Now though rains in a cataract descended, We could glow, with our tribulation ended-- Count not days, the present only Was thought of, how could it ever be expended? “Clad so cleanly, this remnant of poor wretches Picked up life like the hens in orchard ditches, Gazed on the mill-sails, heard…

Commenting on Bubbles has been removed. Why? If you want to talk about this post, write to the author, use the comments on their blog if it has them, or reply with a "RE:" post on your own blog. Suggestions? feedback@bubbles.town