Sassoon, "Everyone Sang"

Everyone suddenly burst out singing
And I was filled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom,
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields; on—on—and out of sight.
Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted;
And beauty came like the setting sun:
My heart was shaken with tears; and horror
Drifted away . . .  O, but Everyone
Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.



Siegfried Sassoon

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