Yanks: A.E.F. verse

Description

Mud clings to boots and the chill of dawn hangs heavy as men huddle in the trenches, waiting for the first crack of rifle fire to break the silence. In these verses, the raw immediacy of war is rendered with a soldier's honesty-by those who marched, fought, and remembered. This collection gathers world war one poetry written by members of the American Expeditionary Forces, capturing the unique cadence of lives interrupted and shaped by conflict. Each poem is a fragment of wartime verse, where longing, courage, and loss are distilled into sharp, unforgettable lines. The voices within these pages are not those of celebrated poets, but of ordinary soldiers-men who found in poetry a way to confront fear, commemorate camaraderie, and reflect on the brutality and beauty of their experiences. What sets this work apart is its unvarnished glimpse into the everyday thoughts and emotions of Americans on foreign soil, grappling with the enormity of the first world war. The poems range from battlefield reflections to moments of quiet humour and aching nostalgia, offering a mosaic of war experiences in verse that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal. For readers drawn to early twentieth century poetry or the literature of conflict, this volume stands as a testament to the enduring power of words forged in adversity. The military poetry collected here does not glorify, but rather reveals the human cost and small mercies found amidst chaos. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure. For those who seek poems by soldiers that echo across time, this volume invites renewed understanding and remembrance.