to an atlete dying young

Dying young is considered by most to be one of the most tragic of fates. The specter of deeds not accomplished and a life not lived haunts the funeral "...set you at your threshold down" (Line 7), and causes the grief to reach a higher level. Most people desire to live to a ripe old age and they would be aghast to have a premature death viewed through a positive light. Yet a "positive funeral" is …

…With use of simple diction and a present rhyme scheme the images that can be painted in a poem are powerful and appreciated. Housman is a truly exceptional poet. His purpose is to instill a sense of emotion, be it happy or sad, fear or love. He applies his simple diction as a tool to reach all people, not just the educated. His purpose and images are clear and so are his poems. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**