Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BUSY HEART by RUPERT BROOKE

Poet Analysis

First Line: NOW THAT WE'VE DONE OUR BEST AND WORST, AND PARTED
Last Line: I HAVE NEED TO BUSY MY HEART WITH QUIETUDE.
Subject(s): SOLDIERS' WRITINGS;

Now that we've done our best and worst, and parted,
I would fill my mind with thoughts that will not rend.
(O heart, I do not dare go empty-hearted)
I'll think of Love in books, Love without end;
Women with child, cong heavens, forgetful after rain;
And evening hush, broken by homing wings;
And Song's nobility, and Wisdom holy,
That live, we dead. I would think of a thousand things,
Lovely and durable, and taste them slowly,
One after one, like tasting a sweet food.
I have need to busy my heart with quietude.






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