1. By Robert Peter Tristram
The secret Heart By
Robert Peter Tristram

2. Across the years he could recall His father one way best of all
Across the years he could recall His father one way best of all. In the stillest hour of night The boy awakened to a light. Half in dreams, he saw his sire With his great hands full of fire. The man had struck a match to see If his son slept peacefully. He held his palms each side the spark His love had kindled in the dark. His two hands were curved apart In the semblance of a heart.  

3. He wore, it seemed to his small son, A bare heart on his hidden one, A heart that gave out such a glow No son awake could bear to know. It showed a look upon a face Too tender for the day to trace. One instant, it lit all about, And then the secret heart went out. But shone long enough for one To know that hands held up the sun.

4. Analyze! Questions? Observations? Patterns? Connections?
What memory does the writer share?
Who are the characters?
What emotions does the writer express?
What “subjects/topics” stand out after reading this poem? Make a list.
Finish this statement: The author of this poem believes…

5. Those winter sundays By
Robert Hayden

6. Sundays too my father got up early
and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.
I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he’d call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,
Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love’s austere and lonely offices?

7. Analyze! Questions? Observations? Patterns? Connections?
What memory does the writer share?
Who are the characters?
What emotions does the writer express?
What “subjects/topics” stand out after reading this poem? Make a list.
Finish this statement: The author of this poem believes…

8. The Secret Heart
Those Winter Sundays
Compare! Talk to your groups about what these two poems have in common.

9. So, what’s the theme?
Now, use your observations to write one concise paragraph that analyzes a theme these two poems have in common.
1. Give a brief summary (the memory being shared) of each poem. Remember to state the title and author of each poem.
2. Clearly state one theme that the two poems have in common. *Underline the theme.*
3. Provide two pieces of evidence from each poem to prove the theme. Remember to use specific details!
4. Close your paragraph with a personal connection you made, an observation, or a reaction you had when reading the poems. For example, can you relate to the speaker’s regret? Have you experienced similar behaviors in your home? Etc.