Today, the anniversary of my son’s death and also Arbor Day, I link the two days with two tree poems.
Tag Archives: death of a child
Ode Softens Blow of Friend’s Departure
The departure of a friend put me in mind of a John Dryden ode–which led in turn to recalling an intense moment of connection.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "To the Memory of Mr. Oldham", Bjorn Krondorfer, friendship, John Dryden Comments closed
Dear Son, Far Off, My Lost Desire
I understand more with each passing year what Tennyson means when he says his love “is vaster passion now” and how Hallam is thoroughly mixed with God and nature. Tennyson goes on to say that the moral will of humankind—the “living will” that is the best part of ourselves as a people—can finding footing on this spiritual rock. And that the living water that springs from this rock will “flow through our deeds and make them pure.”
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Alfred Lord Tennyson, Easter, In Memoriam, Julia Bates, Religion, Spirituality Comments closed
Memories of My Son, the Baseball Player
I hope I may be excused for revisiting a poem I have posted on before, along with some of my previous observations about it. It is a sports poem that brings to mind my oldest son, who died 11 years ago on this day. Dabney Stuart’s “Ties” is out of season—it’s about football—and Justin’s sport was baseball. Nevertheless I feel awash in sadness and sweet memory when I read it.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Ties", Baseball, Dabney Stuart, Football, Sports Comments closed
