Poem Analysis - Wilful Missing

Introduction: A World of Shadows

Rudyard Kipling's "Wilful Missing" is a haunting poem voiced by soldiers who have intentionally disappeared from the rolls of the living. The poem's tone is weary and resigned, tinged with a sense of justification. It creates a liminal space, a "side-world" for those who chose to abandon their former lives. The mood shifts slightly as the poem progresses, moving from a defiant declaration of existence to a plea for understanding, and finally to an acceptance of their irrevocable choice.

Historical Shadows: The Scars of Empire

Kipling, a product and chronicler of the British Empire, wrote extensively about soldiers and their experiences. This poem likely reflects the psychological toll of colonial warfare, particularly the Second Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa. The mention of the "Low Bush-veldt" and "Kaffirs" places the poem within that historical context. Soldiers faced harsh conditions, brutal combat, and the moral complexities of fighting in a foreign land, all of which could contribute to a desire to escape.

The Weight of Existence: Mortality and Escape

One of the central themes is mortality, but not in the conventional sense. These soldiers haven't simply died; they've orchestrated a kind of social death. The poem acknowledges the official narrative of their demise ("a bullet laid us low"), but immediately refutes it. This creates a sense of unease, as they exist in a space between life and death. Relatedly, the poem explores the theme of escape. These men actively chose to leave behind their identities, their responsibilities, and the world they knew. The reasons for their escape are varied and deeply personal ("There are some things too bitter 'ard to bear"). The poem grants them agency, even in their disappearance.

Lost Identity: Anonymity and Remembrance

The poem uses the image of the uniform as a symbol of identity, but also of its disposability. "The uniform's the mark by which they go—And--ain't it odd?--the one we best can spare." This suggests that their true selves were somehow disconnected from their military roles. The anonymity afforded by their manufactured deaths allows them to sever ties to a past they no longer wish to inhabit. The vivid image of the "old aasvogel" (vulture) consuming the bodies further emphasizes the erasure of their former identities, allowing them to rewrite their stories elsewhere.

Compassionate Distance: Judgement and Justification

The theme of isolation permeates the poem. These "wilful-missings" exist on the periphery, separated from the world of the living and the dead. They offer no specific explanations for their actions, only hinting at the unbearable circumstances that drove them to disappear. "There is no need to give our reasons, though Gawd knows we all 'ad reasons which were fair; But other people might not judge 'em so—And now it doesn't matter what they were." They seek understanding, but not necessarily forgiveness, acknowledging that their choices may be seen as selfish or cowardly by those who haven't experienced their suffering. This is reinforced by the use of colloquial language and slang; the casual tone creates a sense of intimacy and shared experience among the "wilful-missings".

Concluding Thoughts: A Silent Farewell

"Wilful Missing" is a poignant exploration of the hidden costs of war and the enduring human desire for escape. The poem offers a glimpse into the minds of soldiers driven to the brink, choosing to vanish rather than continue living with the burdens they carry. Ultimately, it's a testament to the power of individual choice, even in the face of societal expectations and the official narratives of duty and sacrifice, and invites the reader to consider the unseen scars carried by those who serve, and the potential for profound human suffering to drive men to extraordinary actions.