"Mametz Wood" is a poem by Welsh poet and novelist Owen Sheers, which explores the aftermath of a battle during World War I. The poem is based on the Battle of the Somme, which took place in July 1916 and claimed the lives of over one million soldiers. In the poem, Sheers reflects on the human cost of war and the impact it has on both the soldiers who fought and the families left behind.
 
The poem is set in Mametz Wood, a forested area in northern France where a fierce battle took place during the Battle of the Somme. Sheers describes the aftermath of the battle, with soldiers' bodies scattered throughout the wood and the land scarred by trenches and shell holes. The poem reflects on the devastating effects of war, both physical and emotional, and the toll it takes on those who experience it.
 
Throughout the poem, Sheers uses vivid imagery and evocative language to convey the horror and brutality of war. He describes soldiers as "a human fence" and "a human hedge," highlighting the dehumanizing effect of war on those who fight. He also uses imagery of the natural world to contrast with the destruction of war, such as the "copper beech" that grows above the trenches and the "cornflowers" that grow among the corpses.
 
"Mametz Wood" is a poignant and powerful poem that examines the human cost of war and the enduring impact it has on individuals and communities. Through the poem, Sheers invites the reader to consider the consequences of war and to reflect on the importance of remembering those who have been affected by it.