2 Francis Ledwidge Poems

Francis Ledwidge was an Irish poet noted for his war poems. He was killed in the Battle of Passchendaele in WWI. His first collection was Songs of the Fields and is noted for its rural-themed pieces. He wrote throughout the war years but unfortunately, much of his poetry is lost. His work was published in newspapers and journals.

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Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

#1

Lament for Thomas MacDonagh

Francis Ledwidge’s ‘Lament’ mourns MacDonagh, weaving grief with nature to honor his fight for Irish freedom.

He shall not hear the bittern cry

In the wild sky where he is lain

Nor voices of the sweeter birds

Above the wailing of the rain.

#2

To One Dead

Ledwidge’s ‘To One Dead’ mourns lost love with nature imagery and Celtic symbols, weaving a timeless lament of sorrow.

A blackbird singing

On a moss upholstered stone,

Bluebells swinging,

Shadows wildly blown,

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