(Ed note: Earlier this month, our friends over at Ideasmyth ran a series post by poet John Foy. His theme was "braving storms" and the posts were so good we're going to share them with you this week. –sdh)
Here’s a storm that’s internal and emotional. Ben Jonson wrote “On My First Son” in 1603 after the death of his seven-year-old boy, Benjamin. The storm he is weathering here is that of inconsolable grief.
Professor Edward Taylor, at Columbia, told us how as a young man he first taught this poem to a roomful of graduate students. He said he broke down in tears in front of the class, overwhelmed by the naked sentiments Jonson expressed, who otherwise was known for his tough, cynical take on things.