About Donald Justice, David Orr wrote, "In the world of American poetry, Donald Justice wasn't a bit player, he was an Olivier." Justice, a nostalgic formalist poet, used simple style and the hands of a master craftsman to create memorable poems, including the beautiful "On the Death of Friends in Childhood". The poem itself is very short, but, like much of Justice's poetry, contains a lot of powerful emotion packed tightly in each phrase. The imagery is brilliant, and very emotive.
ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS IN CHILDHOOD
We shall not ever meet them bearded in heaven,
Nor sunning themselves among the bald of hell;
If anywhere, in the deserted schoolyard at twilight,
Forming a ring, perhaps, or joining hands
In games whose very names we have forgotten.
Come, memory, let us seek them there in the shadows.
Nor sunning themselves among the bald of hell;
If anywhere, in the deserted schoolyard at twilight,
Forming a ring, perhaps, or joining hands
In games whose very names we have forgotten.
Come, memory, let us seek them there in the shadows.
Tomorrow: José Emilio Pacheco.
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