Satirical: Silverstein uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at the absurdity of war and the way it is often glorified. The generals are presented as pompous and self-important, more concerned with their own reputations and advancement than with the lives of the soldiers they command.
Darkly humorous: The poem is full of dark humor, such as the generals' casual dismissal of the soldiers' deaths and their callous indifference to the suffering caused by the war. This humor serves to highlight the tragedy of war and the senselessness of violence.
Tragic: Despite the humor, the poem ultimately leaves a feeling of sadness and despair. The soldiers are portrayed as pawns in a game played by the generals, and their lives are treated as expendable. The final image of the generals "playing checkers" while the soldiers are dying is particularly poignant and tragic.
In short, "Generals" is a poem that uses dark humor and satire to expose the absurdity and tragedy of war. The mood is ultimately one of sadness and despair, but it is also one of defiance and hope, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is still room for humanity and compassion.