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

[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?)