Poems about World War II delve into the harrowing experiences of those caught in the throes of one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
They capture the immense suffering, loss, and sacrifice that defined the war, highlighting the resilience and courage of those who endured it. These verses pay tribute to the heroes and victims, providing a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of war on humanity.
Poems about World War II also reflect on the importance of learning from history to prevent such atrocities from recurring.
‘A Song on the End of the World’ by Czeslaw Milosz is an impactful poem that takes a paradoxical view of the apocalypse as a means of underscoring the surreality of facing cataclysm.
Milosz was greatly influenced by the events of World War Two, his poetry collection "Rescue" covering much of what he saw while living in Poland. Through the poet, the reader is offered a visceral glimpse into his ruminations on the effects of war on the citizenry and the pervading sense of dread that fills the world around them.
‘First They Came’ by Pastor Martin Neimöller is a powerful poem that speaks on the nature of responsibility in times of war and persecution.
The specific historical setting of World War II gives the poem its initial context, serving as a powerful reminder of the dangerous consequences of political and social apathy. The rise of the Nazi regime, the Holocaust, and the widespread atrocities committed are the backdrop against which Niemöller delivers his message.
‘Kamikaze’ by Garland delves into a pilot’s conflict between duty and life, exploring the harsh societal aftermath of his choice.
Rooted in World War II history, particularly Japan’s use of kamikaze pilots, the poem offers a rare, humanising view of a soldier who breaks from his role, providing a counter-narrative to wartime glorification and blind nationalism.
‘Let Us Be Midwives’ by Sadako Kurihara is a powerful war-time poem that describes a few moments of despair and a few of hope in the aftermath of the atomic bombing.
This poem reflects the devastating impact of the war, particularly through the lens of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It sheds light on the experiences of the survivors and the immense suffering they endured. The description of the ruined concrete structure and the presence of injured and dying individuals in the dark basement evokes the chaos and destruction caused by the war.
Night in the basement of a concrete structure now in ruins.
The poem ‘Song’ by Alun Lewis explores the themes of love, loss, and the impact of war through the lens of a forlorn woman who lost her husband to the war.
Alun Lewis's poem fundamentally revolves around World War II, crafting a narrative where the speaker laments the loss of her beloved to the dangers of World War II. The verses encapsulate the emotional upheaval of separation during wartime, exploring the wife's unbearable grief and the soldier's unavoidable helplessness during the war. Through evocative dark sea imagery, mentions of the tempest, and the lover's poignant cries, the poem artfully alludes to the stark and harsh realities of the times of the Second World War.
‘Liable to Floods’ exposes the deadly cost of ignoring wisdom, as a major’s hubris dooms his men to floodwaters’ wrath.
This poem is set in the context of World War II. It is specifically linked to the Normandy Landings, a military operation planned by the Allied forces on 6 June 1944. In this poem, the soldiers prepare for the operation by setting up camps in Wales.
'Liable to floods' the farmer warned them.
And on the map, the letters arcing down the valley
‘November’ by William Stafford is a heart-wrenching and important poem that was inspired by the WWII bombing of Hiroshima.
Although not explicitly mentioned in the poem itself, the poem was written around the time of WWII and alludes to the bombing of Hiroshima. WWII was a time of immense conflict and loss, and forgiveness played a crucial role in moving forward and healing. The poem alludes to the aftermath of such events, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness in addressing the scars of history.
‘The Dancing’ by Gerald Stern is an emotionally complex poem that wrestles with feelings of joy and bittersweetness inspired by a fond memory.
Although this poem doesn't deal directly with World War II, the end of the world war is alluded in the memory of the speaker. The reader can infer that this is the reason they're even celebrating and dancing in the first place.
the three of us whirling and singing, the three of us
The speaker contemplates killing a queen wasp to avoid the swarms of offspring she will inevitably bring the next summer.
This poem prominently features themes of war, military, and tyranny. 'The Wasps' Nest' serves as an allegory for the Battle of Britain, which saw the decimation of London after German air forces undertook a bombing campaign which lasted for 57 consecutive nights. MacBeth explores the fear and powerlessness observers of war are forced to feel as they have no control over their own circumstances, but must instead witness the atrocities of war.
‘A Poor Christian Looks at the Ghetto’ by Czeslaw Milosz presents a description of the Warsaw Ghetto from the eyes of a “poor Christian.”
The poem describes the destruction of a ghetto during the war, with the tearing and trampling of silks, the breaking of glass, and the collapse of roofs and walls in flame. It highlights the violence and destruction wrought upon Jewish communities during the war, with the imagery of torn paper, rubber, linen, leather, and flax and the focus on the building of bees and ants around the remains of the dead.
Bees build around red liver,
Ants build around black bone.
It has begun: the tearing, the trampling on silks,
It has begun: the breaking of glass, wood, copper, nickel, silver, foam
Cummings’ ‘what if a much of a which of a wind’ presents different fragmented apocalyptic visions in an experimental language.
This poem likely refers to WWII as it was published in 1943. By 1943, the world had witnessed the massive destructive capabilities of modern warfare and gained awareness about the Holocaust. Unlike the first two stanzas suggesting natural disasters, the poem's last stanza, which seems to end with no hope but humans killing each other for their own benefit, echoes the devastation of WWII, particularly the apocalyptic vision, 'what if a dawn of a doom of a dream / bites this universe in two,' is considered to have anticipated the nuclear bombings of 1945.
‘August 1945’ by Hayden Carruth takes the reader into a scene at the end of World War 2, as four soldiers come to terms with their experiences.
This poem discusses an interesting period of World War Two when the war in Europe was over, but the war in Asia was still ongoing. The poem shows the experiences of the soldiers - the fear that they might be sent to Asia and the uncertainty that they experienced when they were not sent there. It shows how the war had affected them and how they tried to deal with their experiences.
Sweating and greasy in the dovecote where one of them lived
four young men drank "buzzy" from canteen cups, the drink
made from warm beer mixed half-and-half with colorless Italian
distilled alcohol. A strange fierce taste like bees in the mouth.
‘The Measures Taken’ by Erich Fried is a powerful piece about war and loss. The reader is asked to consider their concepts of good, evil, and who deserves to live throughout the poem.
This poem is deeply connected to the broader historical context of World War II. The poem reflects on the ways in which this global conflict impacted individuals and communities around the world and how it continues to shape our understanding of war and violence today. The poem also suggests that the legacy of WWII is a complex one and that its lessons and implications are still being debated and explored today.
‘Giuseppe’ explores the grim tale of a mermaid’s murder in WWII Sicily, highlighting the dark side of human survival instincts.
The war is not shown through direct battle scenes, but its effects are everywhere. Starvation, secrecy, and fear all shape the characters' choices. The setting of World War Two gives the poem a heavy sense of history and makes the horror feel grounded. The war provides the reason for their desperation, but it also shows how easily people use conflict to excuse cruelty. It’s a thoughtful, indirect but powerful use of a global historical event.
‘August 6’ by Tōge Sankichi is an emotional poem that explores the aftermath of the bombing of the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War II.
This poem exists within the context of World War II, specifically the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The poem serves as a reflection on the tragic events that unfolded during this tumultuous period. It sheds light on the devastating impact of the bombing.
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