Author: Alan Alexander Milne
In days of peace my fellow-men Rightly regarded me as more like A Bishop than a Major-Gen., And nothing since has made me warlike; But when this age-long struggle ends And I have seen the Allies dish up The goose of Hindenburg - oh, friends! I shall out-bish the mildest Bishop. When the War is over and the Kaiser's out of print I'm going to buy some tortoises and watch the beggars sprint; When the War is over and the sword at last we sheathe I'm going to keep a jelly-fish and listen to it breathe. I never really longed for gore, And any taste for red corpuscles That lingered with me left before The German troops had entered Brussels. In early days the Colonel's "'Shun!" Froze me; and as the war grew older The noise of some one else's gun Left me considerably colder. When the War is over and the battle has been won I'm going to buy a barnacle and take it for a run; When the War is over and the German fleet we sink I'm going to keep a silkworm's egg and listen to it think. The Captains and the Kings depart - It may be so, but not lieutenants; Dawn after weary dawn I start The never ending round of penance; One rock amid the welter stands On which my gaze is fixed intently: An after-life in quiet lands Lived very lazily and gently. When the War is over and we've done the Belgians proud I'm going to keep a chrysalis and read to it aloud; When the War is over and we've finished up the show I'm going to plant a lemon pip and listen to it grow. Oh, I'm tired of the noise and turmoil of battle, And I'm even upset by the lowing of cattle, And the clang of the bluebells is death to my liver, And the roar of the dandelion gives me a shiver, And a glacier, in movement, is much too exciting, And I'm nervous, when standing on one, of alighting - Give me Peace; that is all, that is all that I seek.... Say, starting on Saturday week. A. A. Milne.
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: The poem is a sophisticated satire, employing humor and irony to critique the glorification of war and yearn for peace. The poet uses the persona of a reluctant soldier, who is more akin to a 'Bishop than a Major-Gen.' The repeated refrain, 'When the War is over,' underscores the speaker's longing for tranquility, where he can engage in whimsical acts like watching tortoises sprint, listening to a jellyfish breathe, or hearing a silkworm's egg think. This hyperbolic absurdity underscores the speaker's deep desire for peace and quiet, even if it borders on the ridiculous.
The poem’s structure is largely composed of quatrains with a consistent rhyme scheme, lending a sense of rhythm and musicality that contrasts starkly with the grim reality of war. The humor, presented through the speaker's ridiculous post-war aspirations, serves as a poignant critique of war's absurdity. The tone fluctuates between wistful, ironic, and defiant, revealing the speaker's complex emotional responses to war. The final lines, which request peace 'starting on Saturday week,' underscore the speaker's desperation and urgency, concluding the poem on a powerful note. Overall, the poem uses humor and absurdity to interrogate the horrors of war, while using structure and tone to amplify its message.
Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.
Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:
From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.