First World War Poetry Digital Archive

The Dark Forest

[THE DARK FOREST] by EDWARD THOMAS Dark is the forest and deep, and overhead Hang stars like seeds of light In vain, though not since they were sown was bred Anything more bright. And evermore mighty multitudes ride About, nor enter in; Of the other multitudes that dwell inside Never yet was one seen. The forest foxglove is purple, the marguerite Outside is gold and white, Nor can those that pluck either blossom greet The others, day or night.

Citation

“The Dark Forest,” by Thomas, Edward (1878-1917). Copyright Edward Thomas, 1979, reproduced under licence from Faber and Faber Ltd. via First World War Poetry Digital Archive, accessed April 23, 2024, http://ww1lit.nsms.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/collections/item/2870.

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