Bayonet Charge by Ted Hughes. Rebecca, Lauren & Amy.

Suddenly he awoke and was running – raw In raw-seamed hot khaki, his sweat heavy. Stumbling across a field of clod towards a green hedge That dazzled with rifle fire, hearing Bullets smacking the belly out of the air Be lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm; The patriotic fear that had brimmed in his eye Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest, -

In bewilderment then he almost stopped – In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations Was he the hand pointing that second? He was running Like a man who has jumped up in the dark and runs, Listening between his footfalls for the reason Of his still running and his foot hung like Statuary in mid-stride. Then the shot-slashed furrows

Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame And crawled in a threshing circle, its mouth wide Open silent, its eyes standing out. He plunged past with his bayonet toward the green hedge, King, honour, human dignity, etcetera Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm To get out of that blue crackling air His terror’s touchy dynamite.

Just seeing the destruction that’s caused. “Suddenly he awoke and was running.” Almost as if he is being awoken from a trance, and is realizing what he’s doing and the consequences of it. He didn’t know what he was getting himself into until it began. “Dazzled with rifle fire.” Not knowing what’s happening, stunned and shocked. “He lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm;” Comparing the weapon to the effect that the weapon has. “In bewilderment then he almost stopped -” The effect of what he’s doing is only just dawning on him and he’s only Just seeing the destruction that’s caused.

Suddenly he awoke and was running – raw Represents raw emotion, fresh. Suddenly he awoke and was running – raw In raw-seamed hot khaki, his sweat heavy. Stumbling across a field of clod towards a green hedge That dazzled with rifle fire, hearing Bullets smacking the belly out of the air Be lugged a rifle numb as a smashed arm; The patriotic fear that had brimmed in his eye Sweating like molten iron from the centre of his chest, - Showing determination. “Stumbling” meaning numb. Personification Simile Near his heart.

In bewilderment then he almost stopped – Seeing it for the first time In bewilderment then he almost stopped – In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations Was he the hand pointing that second? He was running Like a man who has jumped up in the dark and runs, Listening between his footfalls for the reason Of his still running and his foot hung like Statuary in mid-stride. Then the shot-slashed furrows Doesn’t know why he’s there, running like he knows he should It’s all a thought, explaining his mind. Questions himself. “Still” as if wishing it were over.

Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame Compared to a flame, destructive and incontrollable. Threw up a yellow hare that rolled like a flame And crawled in a threshing circle, its mouth wide Open silent, its eyes standing out. He plunged past with his bayonet toward the green hedge, King, honour, human dignity, etcetera Dropped like luxuries in a yelling alarm To get out of that blue crackling air His terror’s touchy dynamite. Simile Link to the title Listing in an almost mocking tone. Ending with an explosion like a battle would.