econd Year," a son (assuming the author is male) looks at a picture of his father in his youth. The author then goes on to describe the picture of his father. The title of this poem emphasizes this exact situation. This situation takes place in an unfamiliar kitchen. The theme is presented directly. Reading the poem it sounds like the father had a drinking problem. The kitchen being unfamiliar could be because the author has not had contact with his father for many years because his father was a drunk, and the author did not want to be a part of his life. The author uses two main repeated words: "perch and beer". A perch may signify something unwanted; the beer may symbolize something wanted.
             It sounds like the author feels the father was a disappointment probably because of his drinking, "Father, I love you, yet how can I thank you?" (LRRW Line 13&14) It sounds as though the author has inherited a drinking problem like his father, "I who can't hold my liquor either" (LRRW Line 14). The author sounds as though he is ashamed of himself for that. It also sounds like the author feels his father failed him as a parent.
             The author indicates that the father did not do much with him as a child because he says, "and don't even know the places to fish" (LRRW Line 15). His father must not have taken him out to go fishing, and probably did not do much of anything else with him either. It also says his father wanted to be "bold," but you can tell he is not very bold, "I stu
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