The poem
You've heard me, scornful, harsh, and discontented, Mocking and loathing War: you've asked me why Of my old, silly sweetness I've repented-- My ecstasies changed to an ugly cry.
You are aware that once I sought the Grail, Riding in armour bright, serene and strong; And it was told that through my infant wail There rose immortal semblances of song.
But now I've said good-bye to Galahad, And am no more the knight of dreams and show: For lust and senseless hatred make me glad, And my killed friends are with me where I go. Wound for red wound I burn to smite their wrongs; And there is absolution in my songs.
The poem is written in form of an English Sonnet with a rhyme scheme of ab, ab, cd, cd, ef, ef & gg. It connects World War I with the Legend of King Arthur through situational irony