An appreciation of "The lark above the trenches".
Many poems written in response to the events of the 1914-19 war are the products of direct experience of the processes of war - making weapons, nursing the wounded, the loss of brothers, sons or lovers in the trenches - by women in active service in the battle areas as well as by women involved in the war effort at home. The range of this poetry is wide. It is often experimental and in advance of the male poetic response. Muriel Graham has been inspired to write this poem by the newspaper cutting presented at the beginning of the poem. Immediately by reading this epigraph we already recognise the contrast of the beautiful song of the lark with the terrible situation that these soldiers are in. .
In each stanza, this poem expresses a profound and sombre uncertainty for the soldiers. However, the contrast is reiterated at the end of each stanza, with the reminder of the lark's song, and we have a glimmer of hope. The opening of the poem is very grim and negative. The repetition of "all" emphasises the drudgery of these soldiers" lives. Also adding to that emphasis is the continual regular rhyming pattern (ABCCAB) this definable sense of rhythm is furthered by the use of iambic pentameter, which often emphasises such negative words as "guns" and "hell". .
The bleakness definitely comes through the poem, with haunting images such as "men gasping their lives away". This desperate and chilling image is continued with the winter feeling "ice-cold". Winter has negative connotations, especially when there is no escape for these men and they are stuck outside. This harsh reality is interrupted by the lark who boosts the morale of the men by its song raising their "wounded hope", suggesting that life is reaffirmed and hope is renewed by the wonderful song. .
In this poem the elements of desolation and hope are finely balanced. The sense of uncertainty and bleakness about life and the future is contradicted by the power of nature and its ability to give people a sign of happiness and joy even in the most desperate of situations.