The poem Theodore Roethke is a retrospective look of the poet himself on his childhood and evokes ambiguous emotions. While there are clear indications of somewhat rude behavior, the end lines indicate that the boy was still clinging to him (Roethke, 1942). Thus, the question for discussion is how exactly the author feels about his father and what feelings he has when remembering him?
Most interesting to me is a poem written by Robert Hayden in 1966, “Those Winter Sundays.” This text bears little resemblance to a typical poetic work due to the lack of a precise rhythm that would guide the reader. Thus, it is somewhat difficult to read the work, but you have to re-read it many times, which allows grasping the meaning better. Although the father was a working man and Sunday was his well-deserved day off, he still got up to light the fire and polish the child’s boots (Hayden 1966). However, the sacrifice made was understood by the author only many years later. This poem is of interest to me precisely because of its unusual structure, which conveys the author’s cold, detached and reflective tone.
Two authors, Hayden and Roethke, return to their childhood in their poems, analyzing it now with the existing knowledge, gaining a new perspective on the relationship between the child and the parent. Although the two authors’ situations are incredibly different, they are united by some sadness about the past. Both children did not understand the relationship between their fathers to them. Roethke had mixed feelings, both loving and fearful of his father due to his scraped knuckles and drunken behavior. At the same time, Hayden was indifferent, unaware of the sacrifice his father was making. However, having grown up, both authors understand the true essence of the relationship and what was hidden behind their fathers’ specific actions.
Reference
Roethke, T. (1942). My papa’s waltz. Hearst Magazine.
Hayden, R. (1966) Those winter Sundays. Poetry Foundation. Web.