Terence Winch's That Ship Has Sailed (University of Pittsburgh Press) arrived last week, and reading it has given me many pleasurable hours. Here is "Father," a favorite poem that in a few brief lines conjures an entire life:
Father
I have your cuff links and tie clips.
I have a box with your IDs in them.
Your steamfitters union card from
the middle of the war. I have the toolbox
you and I made together when I was a kid.
I have the bookcase you brought home
when the Monsignor bought new furniture
for the rectory and threw it out. It's right
upstairs in my living room. I have your banjo,
which still sounds great. All I'm missing is you.
by Terence Winch from That Ship Has Sailed
You can read Anne Harding Woodworth's fine review in the Innisfree Poetry Journal, along with new poems by Terence Winch here.
Thanks, Stacey!
Posted by: Terence Winch | March 03, 2023 at 03:16 PM
Wonderfully moving, evocative, litany poem, Terence. Thank you so much for posting it, Stacey!
Posted by: Emily Fragos | March 03, 2023 at 04:58 PM
I love how Terry draws his father in action for us, and then erases him. This is a wonderful book of poetry!
Posted by: Abbie Mulvihill | March 04, 2023 at 08:44 AM
Great poem, so many pictures in a few words, especially the scene of you and your father making the toolbox!
Posted by: Chris Mason | March 04, 2023 at 09:42 AM
brilliant, as always
Posted by: lally | March 04, 2023 at 11:33 AM
From the heart to our hearts
Posted by: Jody Payne | March 04, 2023 at 02:11 PM
Moving and brilliant!
Posted by: Susan Campbell | March 06, 2023 at 06:44 PM
Perfect!
Posted by: Thomas Michael Corcoran | April 02, 2023 at 09:58 PM