This brief anthology of poetry seeks to capture the geographical spread and broad array of subject matter by a wide range of often-understudied female poets of the First World War. Spanning 24 countries, the 45 authors in this volume constitute an attempt (in English or English translation) to represent the cultural and linguistic diversity of poetry coming from the Allied, Central and Neutral powers during and after the War. The collection includes some famous voices like Vera Brittain and Sarojini Naidu, but most of the poets have been recently or newly translated and gesture towards the vast amount of writing by female war poets that has yet to enter our scholarship. Regardless of fame, the authors in this volume write on shared themes of grief for lost sons and lovers, reflections on patriotism, their own roles in the war effort and their responsibilities of mourning and memorial.
