Propped on a stick he viewed the August weald;
Squat orchard trees and oasts with painted cowls;
A homely, tangled hedge, a corn-stalked field,
And sound of barking dogs and farmyard fowls.
And he’d come home again to find it more
Desirable than ever it was before.
How right it seemed that he should reach the span
Of comfortable years allowed to man!
Splendid to eat and sleep and choose a wife,
Safe with his wound, a citizen of life.
He hobbled blithely through the garden gate,
And thought: ‘Thank God they had to amputate!’
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
My interpretation of the last line is: - the one legged man is glad to be enjoying the life he had imagined and is pleased that he has an outward symbol of his service and sacrifice.
Sassoon must have rolled in his grave when this comment was posted. I don't think I've ever seen a point missed harder.