Happiness

Wilfred Owen 1893 (Oswestry) – 1918 (Sambre–Oise Canal)



Ever again to breathe pure happiness,
So happy that we gave away our toy?
We smiled at nothings, needing no caress?
Have we not laughed too often since with Joy?
Have we not stolen too strange and sorrowful wrongs
For her hands' pardoning? The sun may cleanse,
And time, and starlight. Life will sing great songs,
And gods will show us pleasures more than men's.

Yet heaven looks smaller than the old doll's-home,
No nestling place is left in bluebell bloom,
And the wide arms of trees have lost their scope.
The former happiness is unreturning:
Boys' griefs are not so grievous as our yearning,
Boys have no sadness sadder than our hope.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 10, 2023

35 sec read
151

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXABCBC XXDEED
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 633
Words 115
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 6

Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Edward Salter Owen MC was an English poet and soldier, one of the leading poets of the First World War. more…

All Wilfred Owen poems | Wilfred Owen Books

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