First Memory - A poem by Louise Gluck

Louise Gluck - First Memory

Long ago, I was wounded. I lived
to revenge myself
against my father, not
for what he was--
for what I was: from the beginning of time,
in childhood, I thought
that pain meant
I was not loved.
It meant I loved.

Added: on January 22nd, 2005 at 7:57 PM | Viewed: 3586 times | Comments and analysis of First Memory by Louise Gluck Comments (4)

First Memory - Comments and Information
Poet: Louise Gluck Poem: First Memory Volume: Ararat Year: Published/Written in 1990 Poem of the Day: Jan 22 2005 Comment 4 of 4, added on May 16th, 2008 at 8:35 AM. I agree. It is a wonderful poem. I was in Language Arts today when my teacher shared it with us (luckily, just for fun, or I might not like it). When I heard it, I immediately understood. A classmate said that she couldn't get it, but I did right away. I love this poem now. It has calmed my heart. Before, I wondered whether I was a good person. I was unsure if I loved my parents or not. But this poem affirmed that I did. It showed me that the lonely pain they give me at times was because I love them, not because I was a monster whom they did not love nor I love them. No, it proved otherwise, and I am joyous. Heero Comment 3 of 4, added on January 28th, 2005 at 2:27 PM. Well, unless the 2003-2004 poet lauriate of the US plagerized the very well known John Donne then I think that it is HIGHLY unlikely that this is his poem because I own Ararat by L. Gluck and it is in fact the last poem, page 68. This also does not sound a BIT like John Donne, for the record.... Carolynn from United States Comment 2 of 4, added on January 22nd, 2005 at 7:57 PM. I am very disappointed to see such ignorance,especially when it comes to the work of such a great poet,I guess the individual whom wrote the first comment never stopped to think that This poem may have only been published on this site in 1990However,My thoughts I this Poem were so moving,that it almost brought a tear to my eyejust at the first reading,I hope to find and read many more of his works,this poem also touched on many personal levels and I was proud to have been able to read it,Thank-you. Sheryl Crimp from Canada More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, First Memory, has received 4 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Louise Gluck with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Louise Gluck Poem: First Memory Volume: Ararat Year: Published/Written in 1990 Last read: Jul 8 2008, 9:04AM Poem of the Day: Jan 22 2005 Viewed 3586 times. Added on January 22nd, 2005 at 7:57 PM.

Gluck Info
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