Maple Syrup By Donald Hall - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

August, goldenrod blowing. We walk
into the graveyard, to find
my grandfather’s grave. Ten years ago
I came here last, bringing
marigolds from the round garden
outside the kitchen.
I didn’t know you then.
We walk
among carved names that go with photographs
on top of the piano at the farm:
Keneston, Wells, Fowler, Batchelder, Buck.
We pause at the new grave
of Grace Fenton, my grandfather’s
sister. Last summer
we called on her at the nursing home,
eighty-seven, and nodding
in a blue housedress. We cannot find
my grandfather’s grave.
Back at the house
where no one lives, we potter
and explore the back chamber
where everything comes to rest: spinning wheels,
pretty boxes, quilts,
bottles, books, albums of postcards.
Then with a flashlight we descend
firm steps to the root cellar—black,
cobwebby, huge,
with dirt floors and fieldstone walls,
and above the walls, holding the hewn
sills of the house, enormous
granite foundation stones.
Past the empty bins
for squash, apples, carrots, and potatoes,
we discover the shelves for canning, a few
pale pints
of tomato left, and—what
is this?—syrup, maple syrup
in a quart jar, syrup
my grandfather made twenty-five
years ago
for the last time.
I remember
coming to the farm in March
in sugaring time, as a small boy.
He carried the pails of sap, sixteen-quart
buckets, dangling from each end
of a wooden yoke
that lay across his shoulders, and emptied them
into a vat in the saphouse
where fire burned day and night
for a week.
Now the saphouse
tilts, nearly to the ground,
like someone exhausted
to the point of death, and next winter
when snow piles three feet thick
on the roofs of the cold farm,
the saphouse will shudder and slide
with the snow to the ground.
Today
we take my grandfather’s last
quart of syrup
upstairs, holding it gingerly,
and we wash off twenty-five years
of dirt, and we pull
and pry the lid up, cutting the stiff,
dried rubber gasket, and dip our fingers
in, you and I both, and taste
the sweetness, you for the first time,
the sweetness preserved, of a dead man
in the kitchen he left
when his body slid
like anyone’s into the ground.

Analysis and Explanation of the Poem

This poem beautifully captures a poignant moment of remembrance and connection with the past. The speaker takes us on a reflective journey to a graveyard where they seek their grandfather’s grave, evoking themes of memory, loss, and family heritage. The imagery of August goldenrod blowing and marigolds from the garden sets a vivid, natural scene that contrasts with the somber atmosphere of the graveyard. The poem’s narrative moves from searching for the grandfather’s grave to exploring the old family farm, revealing relics of the past such as spinning wheels, quilts, and jars of preserved food.

The discovery of the maple syrup jar, made by the grandfather twenty-five years ago, becomes a powerful symbol of preservation—not only of the syrup but of memories and legacy. The act of tasting the syrup connects the speaker and the listener to the grandfather’s life, bridging past and present through a sensory experience. The poem ends with a meditation on mortality, as the grandfather’s body returns to the earth, yet his presence lingers in the home and the sweetness of the syrup.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem likely stems from a deeply personal place, reflecting on family history and the passage of time. The author’s intimate knowledge of the farm, the objects within the house, and the details of the grandfather’s life suggest a personal connection to the narrative. The poem’s tone is gentle and nostalgic, emphasizing the quiet moments of remembrance rather than dramatic grief.

The author’s style combines vivid imagery with simple, clear language, making the poem accessible while evoking strong emotions. The focus on everyday objects and natural surroundings highlights the importance of ordinary moments in preserving family history and identity.

Reflections and Insights

Reading this poem invites us to reflect on how we remember those who came before us and how physical places and objects can hold stories and emotions. It reminds us that memory is preserved not only in words but in everyday things—a jar of syrup, a quilt, a photograph. The poem also touches on the inevitability of death, but it offers a comforting view of legacy: though the body returns to the earth, the essence of a person lives on in the memories and traditions they leave behind.

Educational Value and Learning Points for Children and Students

This poem offers many valuable lessons for young learners:

• Understanding themes of memory and family: Students can explore how families pass down stories and traditions, and how remembering ancestors connects us to our roots.
• Imagery and sensory language: The poem is rich in descriptive language that appeals to the senses, providing a great example for students learning how to use imagery in their own writing.
• Historical and cultural context: The references to farming, sugaring, and preserving food can open discussions about rural life, traditions, and changes over time.
• Emotional intelligence: The poem encourages empathy and reflection on loss and remembrance, helping students develop emotional awareness.
• Vocabulary building: Words like graveyard, marigolds, saphouse, canning, and foundation stones introduce specific terms related to nature, farming, and family heritage.

Practical Applications in Life and Learning

• Family history projects: Students can be encouraged to interview family members or explore their own family histories, inspired by the poem’s themes.
• Creative writing exercises: Using sensory details and memories, students can write their own poems or stories about people important to them.
• Science and nature lessons: The poem’s references to plants, seasons, and food preservation can be linked to biology and environmental studies.
• Discussion on mortality and legacy: Age-appropriate conversations about life cycles and how people are remembered can foster deeper understanding and respect.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. Where does the speaker go at the beginning of the poem, and why?
2. What objects do the speaker and companion find in the back chamber of the house?
3. What is significant about the jar of maple syrup they discover?
4. How does the poem describe the saphouse, and what does this symbolize?
5. What feelings does the speaker express when tasting the syrup?
6. How does the poem connect the idea of physical objects to memories and legacy?
7. What do you think the poem says about the relationship between life and death?

Answers to Reading Comprehension Questions

1. The speaker goes to the graveyard to find their grandfather’s grave.
2. They find spinning wheels, pretty boxes, quilts, bottles, books, and albums of postcards.
3. The jar of maple syrup is significant because it was made by the grandfather twenty-five years ago, symbolizing preserved memories.
4. The saphouse is described as tilting and exhausted, symbolizing the passage of time and the decline of old ways.
5. The speaker expresses a sense of connection and sweetness, tasting the preserved syrup as a link to the grandfather.
6. The poem shows that physical objects like the syrup jar hold memories and help keep the legacy of loved ones alive.
7. The poem suggests that while death ends physical life, memories and the things left behind continue to preserve a person’s presence.

This poem is a touching exploration of family, memory, and the passage of time, offering rich material for students to learn about poetry, history, and emotional reflection.