RSS 2.0 FeedOctober 7, 2010, Merrick Life
Autumn symbolism in local poet’s tribute
Merokian waxes poetically on local historian.
MEROKIANS Gertrude Bellafante and Dr. Robert Kinpoitner, head of the English Department at Molloy College, participated in a poetry reading there. Photo by Robert Healy
Dr. Curtis Beetham was Merrick’s historian back before Merrick even had a historical society. And Gertrude Bellafante, a longtime Merokian, who helped found that historical society, made him the subject of a poem read recently at Molloy College.
Mrs. Bellafante said she was organizing old papers when she came upon the poem and asked her neighbor, Dr. Robert Kinpoitner, chair of the English Department at Molloy, what he thought of it and other poems she had written. He was quick to tell her it was not only worth saving but ought to be shared at the poetry reading, and he would read it for her because she is legally blind.
The poem, “October Morning: Ode to a Dying Friend,” evokes an autumn mood. It speaks of Merrick’s Indian and farm heritage, and of the need for a decision on whether to leave or stay on land that has been in the family for a long time. The portrayal of a dignified, restrained, upright man emerges in an indirect but clear way, letting the reader come to understand both the subject and the author better. The reading ended in enthusiastic applause, and proved that the New York Times’ Ginia Bellafante is not the only talented writer in the family!
