The Complete Poems

by Francis Ledwidge, Lord Dunsany (Introduction)

An Irish nationalist and poet, Ledwidge was the protege of Lord Dunsany, to whom he sent a volume of his poetry in 1911. He signed up with the Irish Volunteers to fight with the British in WWI and while serving abroad on active duty a volume of fifty of his poems published as Songs of the Field. While recovering wounded in Manchester in 1916 he received news of the Easter Rising in Dublin and the executions of nationalist leaders that followed it. Dejected, in response he wrote his best-known poem in honor of the executed nationalist leader and a close friend, Thomas McDonagh. He was killed at Flanders in the Battle of Ypres in 1917. The book features two introductions written by Lord Dunsany, Ledwidge's mentor, one to Songs of the Field and the other to Songs of Peace from 1914 and 1916 respectively.

Genres: Poetry, Ireland

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1919

Reviews

[Samuel Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francis Ledwidge captures the pain of serving as a soldier in WW1 and his longing for his home in County Meath, Ireland. His lines are marked by their simple beauty and his ability to capture country scenes in a few words.

"...Ay! soon the swallows will be flying south,
The wind wheel north to gather in the snow,
Even the roses spilt on youth’s red mouth
Will soon blow down the road all roses go."

From 'June'

Ledwidge captures also the conflict of being a proud Irishman fighting in British Army. He mourns the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in a few of his poems.

Reading Ledwidge is calming, moving and, at times, thrilling. He was killed by a German shell in 1917 aged 29.