I know this poem well. What always gets me is the last couplet, the only two lines that rhyme in the whole poem. Is it harmony he is pointing at in the final lines?
I don't know ... The poem itself is a good one, but its rather self-conscious craftsmanship reinforces my impression that the moment between Robert Lowell and Theodore Roethke was the poised zenith at which American poetry with astonishing rapidity degenerated into creative writing. Lowell was also an academic, but he somehow managed to avoid having the academy destroy his gift. I personally find almost no American poetry after Lowell of interest, except for the Beats, and though Roethke's poem is an early one, I perceive in it early signs of the decline to come.
Lived it. Beautiful! Grandparents are a gift! 🙏❤️
I know this poem well. What always gets me is the last couplet, the only two lines that rhyme in the whole poem. Is it harmony he is pointing at in the final lines?
This is fond memory? Or a different variation of the pirate humor, “The beatings will continue until morale improves?"
Yes!
One of my favs, but you've lost the stanza breaks!
One of my very very favorites
I love waltzing with my grandson.
I don't know ... The poem itself is a good one, but its rather self-conscious craftsmanship reinforces my impression that the moment between Robert Lowell and Theodore Roethke was the poised zenith at which American poetry with astonishing rapidity degenerated into creative writing. Lowell was also an academic, but he somehow managed to avoid having the academy destroy his gift. I personally find almost no American poetry after Lowell of interest, except for the Beats, and though Roethke's poem is an early one, I perceive in it early signs of the decline to come.
Husband, Feather, Grandfather, seperated from loving wife, through Alzheimer's.
Looking out at the world through a childs eyes, full of wonder....
If you kind of " sing " this as you read. You will see the " room it takes place "
Hard, sweet and satisfying!
One of my favorites. Thank you for this.🙏
Grandchildren are a gift