Those Winter Sundays

“Those winter Sundays” was a simple poem, that had great description that really set a perfect visual. I pictured a cozy log cabin in the woods in the winter with snow placed all around in a peaceful silence. I could picture it being still dark out and achy, old, hard working father quietly getting out of bed in the cold house to make a fire to warm up the equally achy house. Sunday was the fathers only day off, but technically it was still a work day that didn't consist of working at the job where he worked with his hands all day, but it was the day the father worked for his family. One line in particular stood out, “No one ever thanked him.” The poem gave the feeling that the father didn't mind not being thanked for all the things he did because it was what a father did… no thanks were ever needed. The father did what he needed to do to keep his family going. The last lines summed everything up and had the most meaning, “What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” The last lines just mean that the poet didn't know then, but he knows now after looking back that the love a person has for their family is sometimes hard and uncompromising because these things have to be done to keep a family together no matter if a person is appreciated or not. This poem really reminded me that I should thank my parents more often because I know they will do things for our family no matter what, but a thank you more often might make things a little bit easier.