What it feels to Die like an Athlete Dying Young

            Once in our lives we will feel that we are the kings and/or queens of the world because we have made our dreams come true—to be filthy rich, to publish an award winning novel, to earn someone’s love, to act in Broadway, or to win a race—and we wish we could stop the hands of time so we could live only on that priceless moment. Everything is going smoothly, then one day, death came unexpectedly and when it did, we died and everything is useless and lost for us—the rich’s money is spent and sometimes stolen, the author’s inked pen dries, the lover’s love hides and is nowhere to be found, the actress’ audience got bored and left the theatre, and an athlete’s laurelled head is inside a coffin. However, it doesn’t mean that when we die, everything about us is lost like the flame in a candle being blown away after someone made a wish. There are certain special things that the world will never forget though we’re already dead; things like a memory, a name, a legacy, an invention, or a work of art. Though death is a sad and inevitable thing that we cannot run away from, to die all of a sudden but remembered forever for the things we have accomplished is a good way to die. After repeatedly reciting A.E. Housman’s poem “To an Athlete Dying Young” aloud, my mind got pregnant and gave birth to these insights. Drawing my attention to the poem’s title, I sensed that the poem is depicting sorrow and irony because for someone who is physically active, healthy, and young like an athlete to die is tragic and ironic.

            The first two stanzas of the poem show us the same characters—the athlete and the townspeople—in two different events, emotions, and situations. On the first stanza, we are introduced to a happy atmosphere where everybody is celebrating for the triumph of the athlete representing their town. In the second, we found ourselves witnessing the whole town carrying the athlete’s corpse to the funeral. In contrast to the first stanza, the people are deeply mourning.

            The three succeeding stanzas confirmed to us that indeed, the athlete died unexpectedly and at an early age. In the third stanza, Housman made a comparison between “laurel” which symbolizes victory and “rose”; he said that rose lasts longer than laurel. This shows that victory is ephemeral. It is not impossible for a winner to be a second placer, or worst, a loser. The fourth stanza gives a glimpse on how the athlete died—he just crossed the finish line when his eyes closed slowly and his ears heard nothing but ultimate silence; thus, he was not even aware that he won the race. This presents us the irony of the situation because the athlete won the race but died upon winning. It is sad because he and everyone are supposed to rejoice for his victory, but because of his surprising death, they have to prepare for an unexpected funeral. The fifth stanza shows us that the fame and glory of those other well-known runners that the athlete defeated vanished like hundred bubbles blown by a 7-year old girl that popped even before a minute is up.

The sixth stanza sends a message to the athlete that though he is dead, he’s not supposed to be sad for he was able to hold on to his fame and glory for he died as a champion. It also shows us that the athlete’s death is worth it for he was able to make his dreams come true before the time allotted for him to live ran out and leave something behind to the world he has to depart.

The seventh stanza brings us to the athlete’s funeral. Everyone was there—townspeople, runners, and other people—to catch a glimpse of the athlete who won and died at the same time. As Housman finishes this poem, he reminds us that though the athlete died, he will forever stay in the hearts and minds of the people and of the coming generations due to the legacy he has left.