tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post4046199957495336732..comments2023-04-26T11:32:09.014-04:00Comments on Tapestry of Words: POETRY FRIDAY: “The Barefoot Boy” by John Greenleaf WhittierBecky Shillingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-20662318998868944932014-06-16T06:35:27.778-04:002014-06-16T06:35:27.778-04:00This reminds me of the Bradbury story about summer...This reminds me of the Bradbury story about summer - dandelion wine, I think. To be as free as a barefoot child in summer, how beautiful. :)GatheringBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04477710897574769648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-7816124303193311262014-06-15T15:49:30.865-04:002014-06-15T15:49:30.865-04:00That is an excellent idea, Violet! It does end on ...That is an excellent idea, Violet! It does end on a bittersweet note, doesn't it?Becky Shillingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-13366286467154639052014-06-15T15:45:15.758-04:002014-06-15T15:45:15.758-04:00Yes, the language is delightful! I also like his ...Yes, the language is delightful! I also like his use of the rhyming couplet with seven syllables per line--it creates a lyrical, steady cadence that stays with you! Becky Shillingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-7785644032883983852014-06-15T15:40:07.484-04:002014-06-15T15:40:07.484-04:00So glad to know that there are other "barefoo...So glad to know that there are other "barefoot" adults out there, Julie! = ) Becky Shillingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-74826235374515503032014-06-14T13:53:16.508-04:002014-06-14T13:53:16.508-04:00The last stanza of his poem, on the site you linke...The last stanza of his poem, on the site you linked, changes the tone of the poem when it goes from a description of the glories of summer to reminding this little man how his feet will soon be shod like a young colt's and he'll have to get to work. Sure enjoyed the agrarian metaphors and the feel of a simpler, less complicated time. It would be interesting to see a parallel poem written to a kid these days using the images of our time. Violet N.http://vnesdolypoems.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-32682380106031011282014-06-14T04:49:36.423-04:002014-06-14T04:49:36.423-04:00Yes, "pantaloons"! :-) So many neat line...Yes, "pantaloons"! :-) So many neat lines here: "Outward sunshine, inward joy," "Nature answers all he asks," "I was rich in flowers and trees, Humming-birds and honey-bees." <br />Tabathahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14367572663591077922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-9937033998082679712014-06-14T01:14:56.173-04:002014-06-14T01:14:56.173-04:00Oh, yes - barefoot days! My neighbor once told me ...Oh, yes - barefoot days! My neighbor once told me that he could always tell when I was going someplace important, because it was the only time he saw me with shoes on! And that's not when I was a kid - I already had a family of my own. <br /> I've always like this poem, too, Becky - and I also like what Henry James said: ""Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." Julie https://www.blogger.com/profile/12811523890920763782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-21498460161173510642014-06-13T22:20:54.562-04:002014-06-13T22:20:54.562-04:00I know--his language is so evocative and rich. I w...I know--his language is so evocative and rich. I will definitely read more by this poet!Becky Shillingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-43722377600971680462014-06-13T22:20:01.680-04:002014-06-13T22:20:01.680-04:00Thanks, Vijaya!Thanks, Vijaya!Becky Shillingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18185515854304384764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-35677255323105185212014-06-13T16:15:51.435-04:002014-06-13T16:15:51.435-04:00Hooray for "barefoot time!!"
I loved t...Hooray for "barefoot time!!" <br /><br />I loved this line: "I was rich in flowers and trees..."Mary Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078793537148794310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6425699691615371137.post-40336189998077892412014-06-13T15:34:25.509-04:002014-06-13T15:34:25.509-04:00What a lovely poem. It's reminiscent of my own...What a lovely poem. It's reminiscent of my own childhood. We've always lived in safe areas so my kids have been able to roam free and play, but they certainly do not enjoy the same level of unstructured time as we did. Enjoy your camping and traipsing ... and don't forget to bring a notebook.Vijayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876606729146077830noreply@blogger.com