Family Pieties

[poliphilo]

I haven’t had a bonfire as big as this in years. All the wood that had fallen off my mother’s trees this past autumn and winter was piled in a heap- and I offered to set light to it.

Whoosh.

My father and I used to bond over bonfires- in a gruff, tight-lipped, manly way.

That was yesterday. This morning I was going through a suitcase of photos belonging to my grandfather and found the draft of a poem he must have written as a young man. I couldn’t make much sense of the middle because of all the crossings out- so I’ve omitted it.

Oh if I knew an enchanting walk
Away from relations inarticulate talk,
A little lone, but far from town
In which I might find a bed of down
Where aching boots and weary mind
Might lie and soliloquize for a time.
……………

One day I am sure I shall find
On this troubled earth of minds
This undisturbed and restful grave.

I showed it to my mother. “Oh dear,” she said cheerfully, “and we cremated him.”

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

And I thought you were going to ponder a bit your father's hidden sensitivity and need for a quiet place of his own...

Still smiling..you wrote this perfectly, took me by surprise!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I wonder how old he was when he wrote it. There are no clues. But I'm guessing in his late teens.

In later life he had hardly any contact with his "relations". Now I know why.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Sorry: Grandfather.

[cdpoint.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure he does have a restful grave.

Just not a contiguous one.

Great story.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The ashes were scattered I think, but I don't know where.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

We think we live in a noisy world. Sounds like your Grandfather thought he did, and he was probably correct. Just different noises.

I am partial to bonfires on our beach in the summer. There are six of us - well, there WERE six of us - pretty much of an age - who used to build fires that blazed at first, then settled down. We talked long into the night - sometimes all of us, sometimes just two or three.

Two of our number are gone, hopefully to that undisturbed and restful grave like that of your grandfather.

Thanks for helping me remember those fires....

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My family makes sandcastles. Judging by the family photos, it's a tradition that goes back to the 1920s. My father was so keen he used to take a big garden spade to the beach.

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

Would've liked to have seen the bonfire.

Loved the poem. People just don't do that sort of thing much anymore - write/memorize poetry, learn Greek and Latin, all the trappings of a classical education (formal or otherwise). It's an interesting glimpse into the past - thanks for sharing.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think he would have liked to have been a writer. He was proud of having known the poet Edna St Vincent Millay (with whose husband he did business.)

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light.

I've liked that poem of hers ever since I heard it quoted in a movie (culture through Hollywood - who would've thought it possible?)

[morrison-maiden.livejournal.com]

I really like his poem. You mother sounds very cute :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

She's 82 and as sharp as a new pin.

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

Kudos to your mother for the perfect response. :)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My mother says "thank you" and sends her regards.