The British poet Siegfried Sassoon (1886–1967) served as a second lieutenant during World War I. His poems from the trenches are some of the most powerful war poems ever written. On the eve of Holy Week, amid the grief and horror of the brutal war being waged against Ukraine, I share his poem EVERYONE SANG.

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

PRAYER

Prince of peace, have mercy on us.
Suffering one, have mercy on us.
Flesh of our flesh, have mercy on us.
Lead us into peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2DwSllqWZw
Christe lux mundi
qui sequitur te
habebit lumen vitae

Christ, light of the world
whoever follows you
will have the light of life