On the Death of One Too Young to Die
It’s been some years now but the month is still
_Entire given to her memory:
In August born and August died, she will
_No writ of clemency
Bestow on those of us who loved her well
And still too deeply mark the tolling bell.
Jeffrey Essmann is an essayist and poet living in New York. His poetry has appeared in numerous magazines and literary journals, among them Agape Review, America Magazine, Dappled Things, the St. Austin Review, U.S. Catholic, Grand Little Things, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, and various venues of the Benedictine monastery with which he is an oblate. He is editor of the Catholic Poetry Room page on the Integrated Catholic Life website.
So sad, but a sweet tribute and remembrance.
This is a perfect gem of remembrance and grief. I was reminded of Christina Rossetti when reading it.
There are two classical transpositions in this poem. The word “Entire” in line 2 is a postponed adjective that normally would be placed before “month” in line 1, but which for metrical reasons is shifted. However, there is also the possibility that Essmann is using “Entire” as a truncated form of the adverb “entirely” to go with “given.” This is a much older usage that one doesn’t see often.
The other transposition is the placing of “Bestow” in line 5, when its normal position would be in the phrase “she will [bestow],” which starts in line 3. This is also an older usage, almost Latinate in its freedom of syntax. The transpositions add to the solemnity and gravity of the poem.
That word “entire” trips me even though I recognize the “very long vowel” pronunciation of the /i/. I have to linger over “en TAI yur,” which emphasizes your meaning, Jeffrey. The even more striking bit of artistry is the short line, “No writ of clemency,” lacking four syllables and two metrical feet in comparison to the regularity of the other lines. Again, the meaning!
Please accept August condolences. The poem is an elegiac lyric comparable in feeling to several 17th century masterpieces by Ben Jonson and others.
Yes, anniversary months and other various reminders bring back the impact of such an untimely death. Artfully given with so few lines. A sign of real poetry.
BTW Are you an oblate at Mount Saviour Monastery near Elmira? I’ve been there many times.
Short and poignant, this poem brought to mind several people in my life who left so untimely.
It’s nice to be reminded of their short sojourn with us.
Thanks for the read, Jeffrey.