On The Beach At Fontana Poem by James Joyce

On The Beach At Fontana

Rating: 4.7


Wind whines and whines the shingle,
The crazy pierstakes groan;
A senile sea numbers each single
Slimesilvered stone.

From whining wind and colder
Grey sea I wrap him warm
And touch his trembling fineboned shoulder
And boyish arm.

Around us fear, descending
Darkness of fear above
And in my heart how deep unending
Ache of love!

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Miles Groth 16 January 2008

This is one of the great poems in English about father-son love. It also reflects, I think, a feeling men in general (even and especially Charles Dickens!) have for boys in our care, although it so rarely expressed. And, unfortunately, there are not many fathers like James Joyce. Perhaps that is changing. Let us hope so.

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James Joyce

James Joyce

Dublin / Ireland
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