080313 - poet Rupert Brooke's birthday

Today is the date of birth of the English poet Rupert Chawner Brooke. He was born in Warwickshire, in 1887. He has the reputation of being the "handsomest man in England". He had many lovers, both male and female. He died on board ship during WWI, on April 23, 1915, and was buried, at night, by his crewmates, on the Greek island of Skyros. His tomb is still often visited; I would like to go there!

A picture:

His tomb on Skyros

Here is a poem of his.

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When Beauty and Beauty meet

All naked, fair to fair,

The earth is crying-sweet,

And scattering-bright the air,

Eddying, dizzying, closing round,

With soft and drunken laughter;

Veiling all that may befall

After -- after --

Where Beauty and Beauty met,

Earth's still a-tremble there,

And winds are scented yet,

And memory-soft the air,

Bosoming, folding glints of light,

And shreds of shadowy laughter;

Not the tears that fill the years

After -- after -- 

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I hope your day has much love and much kindness.