Eternal love
In 1869 John Greenleaf Whittier, influential American Quaker poet, ardent advocate of the abolition of slavery, politician and effective moral force, looked back to an earlier time when he was a young school boy in Haverhill , in a well worn one-room schoolhouse.
Thinking back 40 years to memories of his first and lasting love, Lydia Ayers, he is inspired to pen his beloved poem, “In School Days,” excerpts of this sweet love story.
“still sits the school house by the road, warped floor, battered seats, the feet that creeping slow to school went storming out to play“
In the schoolyard stands a young boy ”his cap pulled down. Pushing with restless feet the snow. He has just come in second in a spelling bee, to a girl he admires deeply. She slowly approaches him….
“ He saw her (Lydia) lift her eyes: felt her soft hands light caressing (his face) and heard the tremble of her voice…..I’m sorry that I spelt the word, I hate to go above you… Because, you see, I love you.”
Standing at her grave in Walnut Cemetery in Haverill, 40 years later, the nostalgia of those beautiful memories come flooding back.
Never since has he experienced such unconditional, love and tenderness or selfless caring. In the school of life, others corrected him, but not lovingly and we’re happy to win a contest.
Tears come to his eyes as he laments the loss of Lydia‘s “ beautiful brown eyes and head of tangled golden curls“ as she caresses his face and says she loves him.
This charming story of love and repentance, its innocence.continues to touch many who read these tender lines today.
The poem prompted well-known Haverhill news writer, the late Barney Gallagher, to initiate a practice of visiting Lydia‘s grave around Valentine’s Day to commemorate this memorable love story.
Each year, fifth-grade students would memorize the poem, place their names in a hat and two names were drawn to represent young Whittier and Lydia. Dressed in period clothing they would recite the poem at the grave as an appreciative crowd looked on.
Gallagher was assisted in this tradition by Gus Reusch, teacher, and beloved curator of the Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill. Gus would provide fresh flowers which the students placed on the grave.
It is most fitting that the epitaph on Lydia’s’ grave reads…
“Eternal Love Remains”
Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote “‘In School Days’ is the finest school boy poem in the English language.”
Reusch lists it in his top 10 Whittier poems after “Snowbound.”
Whittiers poem reminds us that the school of life offers true love as well as hardships such as losing someone you are very close to, someone you care deeply about.
For me, the power of Whittiers’ poetry touches my soul deeply especially as I face Valentine’s Day for the first time without my own soulmate. I take solace in the thought that life may not last forever, but love is eternal!
Amesbury’s Cynthia Costello is past president of the Whittier Home Museum, a writer and a musician.