In Memory of Rupert Brooke Poem by Joyce Kilmer

In Memory of Rupert Brooke



In alien earth, across a troubled sea,
His body lies that was so fair and young.
His mouth is stopped, with half his songs unsung;
His arm is still, that struck to make men free.
But let no cloud of lamentation be
Where, on a warrior's grave, a lyre is hung.
We keep the echoes of his golden tongue,
We keep the vision of his chivalry.
So Israel's joy, the loveliest of kings,
Smote now his harp, and now the hostile horde.
To-day the starry roof of Heaven rings
With psalms a soldier made to praise his Lord;
And David rests beneath Eternal wings,
Song on his lips, and in his hand a sword.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Glen Kappy 03 August 2020

kilmer, with this eulogy, was obviously aware of brooke, another young man and poet, whose life, like so many others, was cut short in what was supposed to be the " war to end all wars." i wonder if kilmer had any presentiment of his own death, also in world war 1, when he wrote this. -glenj

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success