Monday, April 21, 2008, 7:35 pm DST NYC
I just watched on PBS a very fine movie called "My Boy Jack" (written by David Haig) about Rudyard Kipling's son John Kipling. At the end the following poem was recited. I think it's beautiful so I thought I'd share it with you all.
From “My Boy Jack” by David Haig
Have you news of my boy Jack?
Not this tide.
When do you think that he’ll come back?
Not with this wind blowing and this tide.
Has anyone else had word of him?
Not this tide.
For what has sunk will hardly swim
not with this wind blowing and this tide.
O dear, what comfort can I find?
None this tide
nor any tide.
Except he did not shame his kind
not even with that wind blowing
and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more
this tide and every tide.
Because he was the son you bore
and gave to that wind blowing
and that tide.
***
(I’m not sure whether David Haig wrote this or it was written by Rudyard Kipling and simply quoted
in the film.)
Love, max
ETA - Found out that this poem *is* by Rudyard Kipling and is titled "My Boy Jack" - what a surprise! Grin!
Thanks, hyperfocused!