Blog Post 4

Lily Sale

Those Winter Sundays By: Robert Hayden

Before reading this poem, its structure stands out to me. The pattern of lines in each stanza 5,4,3, and 2. The stanzas with less lines create more impact because there space is somewhat limited compared to earlier ones and the purpose has to become clear in less words. The further down into poem you reach the more you get to know the author. As it seems in this poem he is writing to reminisce about his childhood. Hayden explains his father as a hardworking man, getting up before the sun, with cracked hands from the weeks’ labor. His father awakes before him and starts a fire to warm the house before he awakes.  All of these "chores" his father does seems to be for the benefit of his son. The turning point in the poem is when the author states, "speaking indifferently to him the one who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well." This serves as a turning point because before it talks about the father and what he does for his son, at this point it displays the son's' reaction to it: indifference. All of the things his father does for him he speaks to him like he doesn't care. Hayden ends with two questions, "What did I know, what did I know of love's austere and lonely offices?" These questions were obviously to reflect on his actions toward his father. By using "what did I know?" it offers that he is blaming his youth for his indifferent actions toward his father. This poem is definitely to recall his past, however I do not think he really regrets acting the way he did. He simply said "well what did I know?" not really "apologizing" just somewhat brushing it off. This poem attempts to be regretful and reminiscent, however I only think he is reminiscing, his attitude towards his father stays the same.