Admiration is a powerful emotion that can inspire creativity, drive, and connection between individuals. In the poems “Before You Were Mine” by Carol Ann Duffy and “Follower” by Seamus Heaney, admiration is portrayed through the relationships between a mother and daughter, and a father and son respectively. Both poets explore themes of nostalgia, love, and the passage of time in their works.
Nostalgia in Before You Were Mine
In Duffy’s poem “Before You Were Mine,” the speaker reflects on her mother’s youthful days before she was born. The tone of nostalgia is evident as the speaker describes her mother’s past with admiration and longing. Lines such as “I’m ten years away from the corner you laugh on / with your pals” convey a sense of yearning for a time long gone.
Love in Follower
In Heaney’s poem “Follower,” the speaker reminisces about his father’s strength and skill as he worked on the farm. The admiration for his father is clear as he describes him with affectionate terms like “An expert.” The love between father and son shines through in lines like “But I’ve no spade to follow men like them.”
Connection Through Time
Both poems highlight the enduring bond between parent and child despite the passage of time. In “Before You Were Mine,” Duffy explores how her mother’s past has shaped her present identity, while in “Follower,” Heaney grapples with the changing dynamics of his relationship with his father as he grows older.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Duffy’s “Before You Were Mine” and Heaney’s “Follower” capture moments of admiration for parental figures through themes of nostalgia, love, and connection over time. These poems serve as powerful reminders of the impact our loved ones have on shaping who we are today.
References:
1. Before You Were Mine by Carol Ann Duffy
2. Follower by Seamus Heaney
3. The Poetry Foundation
