Wilful-Missing by Rudyard Kipling
The narrative explores the concept of "wilful-missing," a state where individuals have chosen to disappear from their previous lives, often due to the burdens of their past or the desire for a fresh start. The speakers, who are presumably deceased, reflect on their existence in a liminal space where they are neither fully alive nor completely gone. They challenge the conventional understanding of death and burial, asserting that their physical absence does not equate to a complete end. The poem delves into themes of identity, loss, and the complexities of human experience. The speakers suggest that their reasons for disappearing are personal and varied, yet they remain unjudged in this alternate realm. They acknowledge the pain and struggles that led them to this choice, emphasizing that such experiences are often too profound for others to comprehend. The tone is both resigned and defiant, as the speakers assert their agency in choosing to leave their former lives behind. They express a sense of camaraderie among those who have also opted for this path, highlighting a shared understanding of the burdens they carry. The work ultimately reflects on the nature of existence, the weight of societal expectations, and the freedom that comes with stepping away from one's past.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, War Literature, Philosophical · 449 words
First lines
There is a world outside the one you know, To which for curiousness 'Ell can't compare -- It is the place where ‘wilful-missings' go, As we can testify, for we are there.
You may 'ave read a bullet laid us low, That we was gathered in ‘with reverent care' And buried proper. But it was not so, As we can testify, for we are there.
What this Textopian page supports
Wilful-Missing is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, War Literature, Philosophical, British Literature, Narrative
- Length: 449 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Wilful-Missing by Rudyard Kipling
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Wilful-Missing?
- How does this poem by Rudyard Kipling fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- When Im Killed by Robert Graves
- Epitaphs by Rudyard Kipling
- The Turn Of A Page by Robert Graves
- Soldier Soldier by Rudyard Kipling
- Victrix by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Burial by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and rhyme, characteristic of poetry.
- War Literature — The themes revolve around death, loss, and the experiences of soldiers, reflecting the impact of war.
- Philosophical — The poem explores existential themes, questioning the nature of existence and the reasons behind actions.
- British Literature — The author, Rudyard Kipling, is a prominent figure in British literature, and the poem reflects British cultural contexts.
Tags
death · loss · grief · memory · war · identity · burial · afterlife · existentialism · reflection · sacrifice · regret