For Dad, who died three years ago today and who taught me much.
Reach me down my Tycho Brahe,
I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then to now.
Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,
And remember men will scorn it, 'tis original and true,
And the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.
But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learned the worth of scorn,
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,
What for us are all distractions of men's fellowship and wiles;
What for us the Goddess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles!
You may tell that German College that their honour comes too late,
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant's fate.
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
The Old Astronomer to His Pupil
By Sarah Williams
Photo by Alistair.
8 comments:
WOW!
At least I can sort-of understand this one.
I like the last line the best.
"I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night"
Lovely.
I remember you writing of his passing. How quickly those years have fled past.
What a wonderful poem to remember him by.
Hey Alistair, thanks for sharing today with us. Cool poem, too! Indigo
I miss my Dad too but "I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night."
Thanks folks.
Dad's are great - at least my one was - and should always be remembered. I know he would have loved this poem.
Wonderful poem to remember a star.
I said the last few lines of the poem over dad when he died. Not being religious it was all I could think of at the time.
Post a Comment