
[](https://www.gutenberg.org/images/cover_lg.jpg)
To my Father
THE UNILLUMINED VERGE TO A FRIEND DYING
FROM ONE LONG DEAD
FATHER TO MOTHER
THE CHILD TO THE FATHER
A PRAYER OF OLD AGE
THE RHONE GLACIER—SUNSET
JAMES McCOSH 1811-1894
LE BONHEUR DE CE MONDE (Copie d’un sonnet composé par Plantin au XVIe siècle.)
A gentle, lyrical tribute unfolds from the quiet hills of a Scottish farm, where the narrator recalls the simple, sun‑drenched days of childhood and the steady presence of a beloved father. Through verses that weave together the scent of heather, the rustle of wheat, and the echo of Burns’ songs, the poem paints a vivid picture of a place that feels both home and sanctuary.
From that pastoral calm the work shifts to deeper musings on loss, friendship, and the thin line between life and the beyond. The speaker walks a metaphorical ridge, conversing with a departed companion, and finds comfort in the shared memory of love that transcends death. The language is spare yet resonant, inviting listeners to linger on each image and feel the quiet strength that binds generations.
In its final sections, the poet turns to the enduring bond between parents and child, exploring how love persists through sorrow and how each new generation carries forward the unspoken promises of those who have gone before. The collection offers a soothing meditation on heritage, grief, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit.
Language
en
Duration
~43 minutes (41K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Larry B. Harrison, Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2017-07-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1844–1930
A quiet, meticulous poet who became Britain’s Poet Laureate, he wrote with grace, musicality, and a deep love of language. His work ranges from lyrical poems and hymns to thoughtful writing on verse and pronunciation.
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