11 Historical Poems about the Spanish Civil War

The Spanish Civil War was an internal conflict in Spain that lasted from 1936 to 1939. The two opposing sides were the Republicans and the Nationalists. After an initial military coup, a bloody war broke out between the two sides that influenced writers worldwide. The Republicans surrendered Madrid in 1939, bringing the war to a close and establishing Francisco Franco as leader

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War Photograph

by Stephen Spender

Stephen Spender confronts the human cost of war, questions of legacy, and the importance of life in ‘War Photograph’.

Unlike many of Spender's other poems, 'War Photograph' does not focus on a conflict Spender experienced first-hand. Instead, it explores the Spanish Civil War through a 1936 photograph captured by Robert Capa. This photograph is often known as 'The Falling Soldier', as it features an unidentified soldier at the moment of his death. Spender explores the unheard thoughts of the soldier as he comes to terms with his death and legacy. Through this, the worth of a soldier's life is weighed as he loses his life for a joined cause, just to be forgotten in the vastness of time.

Where the sun strikes the rock and

The rock plants its shadowed foot

And the breeze distracts the grass and the fern frond,

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Romance Sonámbulo

by Federico García Lorca

‘Romance Sonámbulo’ by Federico García Lorca is a mournful and beautiful dream sequence in which the poet longs for something unattainable.

This poem does not explicitly reference the Spanish Civil War, but it was written during that time and alludes to it throughout. The poem's themes of adversity, longing, and tragic consequences can be seen as reflections of the socio-political context in which Lorca lived.

Green, how I want you green.

Green wind. Green branches.

The ship out on the sea

and the horse on the mountain.

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Spanish

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Desire

Love

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Loving Someone You Can't Have

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Gacela of Unforseen Love

by Federico García Lorca

‘Gacela of Unforseen Love’ explores the relationship between love and despair through a remembered romance which has run its course.

While the poem is not specifically concerned with the Spanish Civil War, it is often read in its context. Written before but not published until after, the war claimed Lorca's life and is forever entwined with his legacy.

No one understood the perfume

of the dark magnolia of your womb

Nobody knew that you tormented

a hummingbird of love between your teeth.

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Ultima Ratio Regum

by Stephen Spender

‘Ultima Ratio Regum’ translates to English as “the last (ultimate) argument of kings,” which is an insinuation of war. In this poem, Spender portrays the effect of war on innocent, insignificant lives.

The poem is set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. This conflict was a time of great turmoil and suffering. Spender uses the war to show the senselessness and tragedy of such conflicts. The boy's death is a representation of the many innocent lives lost during this time. The poem reflects Spender's pacifist beliefs and his desire for a world without war.

The guns spell money's ultimate reason

In letters of lead on the spring hillside.

But the boy lying dead under the olive trees

Was too young and too silly

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XVIII (Who live under the shadow…)

by Stephen Spender

Spender’s ‘XVIII’ is a lyric showing how worry stops one from cherishing the good parts of life.

The only reason readers may know that the Spanish Civil War is a point of focus in this poem is due to the autobiographical nature of Spender's works. Regardless, this war is neither explicitly mentioned nor kept as 'XVIII's primary focus.

Who live under the shadow of a war,

What can I do that matters?

My pen stops, and my laughter, dancing, stop

Or ride to a gap.

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XXVII (Oh young men, oh young comrades…)

by Stephen Spender

‘XXVII’ is Stephen Spender’s political poem attempting to convince a group of men of his political ideology. It leverages on the persona’s diction to artfully denigrate capitalism and elevate communism.

The Spanish Civil War is only relevant in regards to the historical context of the poem. It is barely implied throughout the poem, but nonetheless necessary to understand it completely. The poem captures Spender's final moments flirting with communism before becoming fully radicalized during the aforementioned war.

Oh young men oh young comrades

it is too late now to stay in those houses

your fathers built where they built you to breed

money on money it is too late

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Give Me Your Hand

by Gabriela Mistral

Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral invites the listener to give the poet their hand and dance: “Give me your hand and you will love me…”

Give me your hand and give me your love,

give me your hand and dance with me.

A single flower, and nothing more,

a single flower is all we'll be.

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Love of My Flesh, Living Death

by Lorna Dee Cervantes

‘Love of My Flesh, Living Death’ is written by one of the greatest Chicano poets, Lorna Dee Cervantes. This piece is addressed to a symbolic bird that a speaker is fond of.

Once I wasn’t always so plain.

I was strewn feathers on a cross

of dune, an expanse of ocean

at my feet, garlands of gulls.

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Politics

by William Butler Yeats

‘Politics’ by William Butler Yeats is the last lyric poem Yeats wrote. It alludes to wars around the world including World War II which was to begin the year after this poem was written.

How can I, that girl standing there,

My attention fix

On Roman or on Russian

Or on Spanish politics?

#10

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Summer 1969

by Seamus Heaney

Heaney reflects on violence in Ireland through the lens of Spain’s Civil War, contrasting his Madrid experiences with his homeland’s strife.

While the Constabulary covered the mob

Firing into the Falls, I was suffering

Only the bullying sun of Madrid.

Each afternoon, in the casserole heat

#11

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What Spain Was Like

by Pablo Neruda

‘What Spain Was Like’ by Neruda reflects on Spain’s beauty and pain, highlighting its enduring spirit amid war.

Spain was a taut, dry drum-head

Daily beating a dull thud

Flatlands and eagle's nest

Silence lashed by the storm.

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11 Historical Poems about the Spanish Civil War

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