To an Athlete Dying Young by A.E. Housman

The poem, "To an Athlete Dying Young" by Housman was a very powerful poem to me.  The poem to me depicts a hero that becomes more than a hero, he becomes a legend. 

Verses 9 and 10:

Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay

These verses to me depict the way he became a legend.  He died an early death while still in his prime which allowed him to rise up to legendary status.  If he were to die at an old age long after his victory he would probably have been forgotten.  But because he died in his prime, people will remember him as a winner and hero, giving him legendary status with the likes of Elvis Presley, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Lou Gehrig...etc.  There are probably hundreds of people we could name who died while in the height of their prime bringing them to legendary status, so I feel this poem is right on with its meaning!