Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"On the March" by Richard Aldington is a poignant poem that juxtaposes the beauty of nature with the harsh realities of war, reflecting on the longing for freedom and the simpler pleasures of life. Aldington, known for his vivid imagery and emotional depth, often drew upon his experiences in World War I to craft poems that capture the conflict between natural beauty and the brutality of human conflict.

The poem begins with the description of "Bright berries on the roadside," which stand out in their vibrant redness against the dusty leaves. The berries are likened to "the points of a girl's breasts," a simile that not only emphasizes their allure but also introduces a longing for sensuality and life's pleasures, contrasting sharply with the soldier's current reality.

The beauty of the morning sun and the red berries of early September evoke a sense of yearning in the speaker. This beauty "tears at [his] breast" and "crushes [him]" with the weight of memories of a lost freedom and happier times now obscured by the demands of war. The natural beauty serves as a painful reminder of what has been sacrificed and what is missed in the midst of conflict.

The speaker's desire to abandon the trappings of war – "rifle and leather belt, / Straps, khaki and heavy nailed boots" – and to "run naked across the dewy grass / Among the firm red berries" symbolizes a deep yearning for liberation from the constraints and violence of military life. This desire to return to a state of natural freedom and to celebrate beauty and peace is a powerful statement against the backdrop of war.

The speaker's wish to be free and to sing of "beauty and the women of Hellas, / Of rent seas and the peace of olive gardens," and other idyllic images, further emphasizes this longing for a return to a peaceful, simpler life. The mention of "the keen welcome smell of London mud" suggests a yearning for home and familiar comforts.

However, the poem ends abruptly with the military command "Party-HALT!" This sudden intrusion of military discipline shatters the speaker's daydream, snapping him back to the grim reality of the march and the war. The contrast between the dream of freedom and the return to military order highlights the soldier's trapped condition and the fleeting nature of such escapist fantasies.

In summary, "On the March" by Richard Aldington is a moving exploration of the longing for freedom and natural beauty amidst the dehumanizing conditions of war. Through vivid imagery and emotional resonance, Aldington captures the inner conflict of a soldier torn between the duties of war and the yearning for a life of peace and simple pleasures. The poem powerfully conveys the human cost of conflict and the enduring desire for freedom and beauty.

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