I have never shared a glass of beer with my father before, and I never had a major conflict with him, but this poem brings back those childhood memories. In fact, I have been very close with my father since I was young, and watched him suffer a heart attack. It was a near-death experience for him, but thankfully, he stayed alive for us. Angers, setbacks, and enjoyments aside, I wish to share a beer with my father on our own time one day.
If I were to paint a picture of this poem, I would want it to be as simple as it can be. I want to focus on the father-son relationship. It was nighttime; the father and son are the only ones home, while they are in front of the TV, looking for a worthy show to watch. Beers, two fine glasses made of porcelain, chips, and a bucket of ice are in front of them – signifying that both are having a good time. The father’s left arm would embrace and hold the left shoulder of his son while his right arm would embrace his father’s right shoulder. The father would sport facial beards, old age wrinkles, and white hair. The father would look like he got a sigh of relief as his son accompanied him. The father would also look like puzzled, contemplating on his next stage in life. The son, entering his stage as an adult, looks fresh, liberated and energetic. He is showing seriousness in listening to his dad’s problems. It may look like nothing has come up, but it would likely be that they are up to something. A toast of beer symbolizes camaraderie between drinkers. Therefore, the likely picture would be how the father and son tandem would be able to overcome the adversaries and move on from them in order to create a better relationship.
Works Cited
Xiajin, W. (2007). Drinking with His Son. In Push Open the Window. Beijing.
