FATHER'S DAY POEM

	June 18, 1999
	Poet Laureate of the United States Robert Pinsky salutes fathers through verse.

JIM LEHRER: Finally tonight, some Father's Day words for dads and granddads from NewsHour contributor Robert Pinsky, the Poet Laureate of the United States. ROBERT PINSKY: Sometimes, grandparents do some of the raising of children; sometimes they do all of it. The poet Elizabeth Bishop's grandfather acted as her father when she was a child. Bishop's poem "Manners" is a tribute to that man. In her poem, Bishop actually makes us feel respect for the often ridiculed notion of parental instruction in behavior. Here for Father's Day is Elizabeth Bishop's poem Manners: MANNERS for a child of 1918 My grandfather said to me as we sat on the wagon seat, "Be sure to remember to always speak to everyone you meet." We met a stranger on foot. My grandfather's whip tapped his hat. "Good day, sir. Good day. A fine day." And I said it and bowed where I sat. Then we overtook a boy we knew with his big pet crow on his shoulder. "Always offer everyone a ride; don't forget that when you get older," my grandfather said. So Willy climbed up with us, but the crow gave a "Caw!" and flew off. I was worried. How would he know where to go? But he flew a little way at a time from fence post to fence post, ahead; and when Willy whistled he answered. "A fine bird," my grandfather said, and he's well brought up. See, he answers nicely when he's spoken to. Man or beast, that's good manners. Be sure that you both always do." When automobiles went by, the dust hid the people's faces, but we shouted "Good day! Good day! Fine day!" at the top of our voices. When we came to Hustler Hill, he said that the mare was tired, so we all got down and walked, as our good manners required.