Closing the door on Fences (part one)
No fence building here, maybe raft building though, as the speaker in Stafford's poem reassures the child of the strength of his body, mind, conviction to provide for and protect the child.
NEXT: Lesson 4 Writing continued: Final Thoughts on Fences
Did you notice the IDIOM in the title above? 
Before we finish up with Fences, take a look at the vast, and perhaps frightening, horizon of surf and sky in the image above. The figures look to be of an adult male, a father perhaps, with two small children. What are they looking at? What are they thinking? Read along with poet William Stafford as he relates an experience of standing on a shore with child, "With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach".
With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach |
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We would climb the highest dune, from there to gaze and come down: the ocean was performing; we contributed our climb. Waves leapfrogged and came straight out of the storm. What should our gaze mean? Kit waited for me to decide. Standing on such a hill, what would you tell your child? That was an absolute vista. Those waves raced far, and cold. "How far could you swim, Daddy, in such a storm?" "As far as was needed," I said, and as I talked, I swam. |
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http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/with-kit-age-7-at-the-beach-audio-only/ |
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No fence building here, maybe raft building though, as the speaker in Stafford's poem reassures the child of the strength of his body, mind, conviction to provide for and protect the child.
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