War and Witness: Poetry as a Response to Conflict and Trauma

Abstract

Poetry has traditionally been a potent vehicle for seeing and reacting to war and related pain. From ancient epics to modern free verse, writers have utilized language to depict the horrors of battle, the suffering of civilians, and the resiliency of the human spirit. The function of poetry in bearing witness to war, its capacity to transmit both personal and group trauma, and the manner in which it promotes healing and recollection are examined in this essay. Long influencing human history, war and struggle have left not only physical damage but also profound psychic wounds. Poetry has been a potent tool for recording terrible events since it provides testimony, opposition, and a road to healing. By means of analysis of its function in bearing witness, questioning prevailing narratives, and supporting emotional recovery, this paper investigates how poetry responds to conflict and trauma. Inspired by writers including Brian Turner, Mahmoud Darwish, and Wilfred Owen, this study looks at how poetry captures the atrocities of war, elevates underprivileged voices, and creates group memory. Examining the junction of poetry and conflict helps this study to show the continuing influence of artistic expression in turning suffering into resilience and resistance.