Blue Rugby and Blue Gallipoli
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
We do not think of Rubert Brooke in blue,
When we remember him at all. We think of Brooke
Between some pages of a volume, true
To beauty and to death, a little book
As slim as he when he fell in love those first
Times, perfect blond with blonds, Lascelles in love
With Rupert, too. And with him, Denham burst
Inside the poet’s chest, and far above
Most others, Sadleir ricocheted inside
Unwary Rupert’s ribcage. Three of these
In quick cascade became an early bride
Of school romance as in an ancient frieze
Along a temple roof. But then in war
He dressed in blue to cross that other shore.
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