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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


OTTERBURN by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE LAD WHO WENT TO FLANDERS
Last Line: AND NEVER WILL RETURN.
Subject(s): DEATH; FLANDERS, BELGIUM; MILITARY; SOLDIERS; WAR; DEAD, THE;

The lad who went to Flanders—
Otterburn, Otterburn—
The lad who went to Flanders
And never will return,—

Though low he lies in Flanders,
Beneath the Flemish mud,
He hears through all his dreaming
The Otterburn in flood.

And though there be in Flanders
No clear and singing streams,
The Otterburn runs singing
Of summer through his dreams.

And when peace comes to Flanders,
Because it comes too late,
He'll still lie there, and listen
To the Otterburn in spate—

The lad who went to Flanders—
Otterburn, Otterburn—
The lad who went to Flanders,
And never will return.



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