The summer of 2024, we went to Maine for our youngest granddaughter's high school graduation. While we were there, our daughter-in-law took us to visit The Longfellow House in Portland. I blogged about it HERE. While we were waiting for the tour to begin, I purchased the above book as a keepsake.
I recently took some time and read through it...and what memories came flooding back! There were so many of his poems that were required memorization for my high school English Literature class during my senior year. As I read over those poems in particular, it was like going back in time. I could remember so many details about our classroom...the smells, the friends, and the fact that it was located directly across the hall from the classroom for Journalism that I enjoyed my junior and senior years. But I digress.
Longfellow was a remarkable man. His poetry is so engaging. I love how he so easily wove his Christian beliefs and the sovereignty of God into his writing.
A few of the poems that you will find in this particular book (it's only 80 pages long) are:
A Psalm of Life (1838)
The Village Blacksmith (1839)
The Day is Done (1844)
The Secret of the Sea (1848)
The Courtship of Miles Standish (1858)
My Lost Youth (1855)
The Children's Hour ((1859)
Paul Revere's Ride (1860)
Christmas Bells (1864)
In high school, our required memorization was of The Village Blacksmith, The Day is Done, My Lost Youth, The Children's Hour, Paul Revere's Ride. And we all know Christmas Bells as I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.
If you have not seen the movie done by Sight and Sounds of, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, I highly recommend it! You will learn much about Longfellow's life by watching it. The man who portrays Longfellow (Stephen Atherholt) did a magnificent job!
Because of the length of the book, there were some poems that weren't printed in their entirety...such as The Courtship of Miles Standish so I went online and found it in its entirety. I look forward to reading this collection when it comes. It includes some of his other work as well.
I'm sure this was such a great trip to Maine for you all....Not only seeing your grandchild graduate, but being able to visit such amazing places. Longfellow's work ( I think) emphasizes Hope and perseverance (I'm sure through the loss of his wife) but he also adds a lot of beauty of nature. I too, remember his poetry from High School...(I thought it was boring at the time) lol....but the truth is, his work is beautiful and continues to inspire people today.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a special time, Shug. Our son had to work several of the days we were there, but our daughter-in-law is such a great entertainer when it comes to taking us to antique shops and the different places there around the area where they live. You are correct in the things that Longfellow's work emphasizes, as well as adding the beauty of nature in his work. If you haven't seen the movie that I mentioned at the end, it is well worth the time.
DeleteI'm not a huge reader of poetry but I do enjoy his work, even more so after hearing the story of his life. We did watch this movie after hearing the story behind 'I heard the bells' but I would like to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a good movie. I didn't watch it until after we came home from Maine, but it gave me an even deeper appreciation of his work.
DeleteI recognize a lot of Longfellow's poems as well. I have a book that was my mother's - The Song of Hiawatha by Longfellow. It is so beautiful, lyrically. A great poet. I remember having to memorize Paul Revere's Ride.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure you have, my friend, in The Song of Hiawatha that was your mother's. Yes, I, too, remember having to memorize The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Such fond memories.
DeleteI enjoy poetry in small doses, but I don't think to read it often. I do remember some of these. I've seen that film but need to see it again--I've forgotten some of it.
ReplyDeleteI used to read a lot of poetry. In fact, when my husband and I first started dating, he would read a lot of poetry to me...especially when I wasn't feeling well. The film is SO good. I watch it often...it doesn't have to be around Christmas time. :)
DeleteWe had to read Longfellow back when I was in school all those years ago.
ReplyDeleteHe's definitely a classic, Bill. School is also where I was introduced to Mr. Longfellow as well.
DeleteIt sounds like you made a great choice for your keepsake! I can't remember having to memorize any poems in high school.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen. xx
DeleteI like Longfellow and some stanzas of various of his poems are in my head and have been for a long time. Probably some date back to school days. I want to watch that movie!!
ReplyDeleteI like his poetry too. He was such a wonderful family man and went through so much agony when his wife died.
DeleteI love the sights of Maine...and I'll be looking for the movie!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna