Warning to Troops

Tomorrow is the centenary of the armistice that ended the First World War. Edmund Blunden was one of the many great writers who captured the horror of that conflict. A new volume of his Selected Poems (Carcanet, £16.99), edited by Robyn Marsack, has just been published, from which the poem below is taken. We’re used to depictions of the mud and blood of the battles, but it takes a poet to locate the particular pain quiet moments can cause. Marsack discusses Blunden’s life and work with his daughter Margi Blunden at the Scottish Poetry Library on 22 November at 7pm (£8 / £6).

What solider guessed where the stream descended In country dance beneath the colonnade Of elms which cooled the halted troop, it played Sly music, barely noted, never ended? Or who, from war’s concerns, a moment missed, At some church door turned white as came to him One gold note struck by the hidden organist, One note long-drawn through caverns cool and dim?

O marcher, hear. But when thy route and tramp Pause by some falling stream, or holy door, Be the deaf adder; bear not back to camp That embryo music. Double not thy war. Shun all such sweet prelusion. March, sing, roar, Lest perilous silence gnaw thee evermore. You can find a copy of Selected Poems by Edmund Blunden at the Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Edinburgh EH8 8DT. For poetry enquiries, e-mail reception@spl.org.uk or visit www. scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk