Analysis of Unknown Soldiers
Unknown Soldiers
by Maxwell "Max" Sebastian Burchett
One Memorial Day made me consider
The many tombs to unknown soldiers,
In memoriam to the lost
From wars then and now,
Unnamed ghosts.
Is memory of all without any names,
The memory of none?
Surely the names were known to some,
All missed and mourned by a loved one.
All had mothers with pain and grief unknown.
Those who fought for some cause,
Maybe not theirs,
Still paid the price with their lives,
In near and distant wars,
Extinguished in fire.
I know enough of hate,
Of powers’ desire,
To know wars will consume
Without any end
More names for the unknown tomb.
Scheme | AX BAXXX XCXCX XXXXB XBDXD |
---|---|
Poetic Form | |
Metre | 0110 11101010 10100111010 010110110 01101 11101 011 11001101101 010011 10010111 11011011 1110110101 111111 1011 1101111 010101 010010 110111 110010 111101 01101 1110011 |
Closest metre | Iambic trimeter |
Characters | 625 |
Words | 131 |
Sentences | 6 |
Stanzas | 5 |
Stanza Lengths | 2, 5, 5, 5, 5 |
Lines Amount | 22 |
Letters per line (avg) | 22 |
Words per line (avg) | 5 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 98 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 22 |
About this poem
"Unknown Soldiers" is a poem by Max Burchett that reflects on the collective sacrifice and memory of countless unnamed soldiers who gave their lives in wars throughout history. The poem is inspired by a Memorial Day experience that prompts the speaker to contemplate the countless tombs honoring those whose names remain unknown. The poem delves into the profound and often overlooked impact of war on those who are not distinguished by names, but rather remembered as "unnamed ghosts. " The absence of names does not diminish their significance; instead, it highlights the universality of loss and grief experienced by families and loved ones who mourn the fallen soldiers. more »
Written on May 31, 2023
Submitted by MaxwellBurchett on July 30, 2023
Modified by MaxwellBurchett on October 17, 2023
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