"Those Winter Sundays" Poem # 2

"Those Winter Sundays" is a poem by Robert Hayden. The father in this poem is not given any thanks for his hard work. I looked up the word "austere"(line 14). Austere means to be severe or stern in disposition, and somber and grave. I think that the father in this story did his duty, but the fact that he never got any thanks or gratefullness made him become stern in appearance and also somber. I believe that "in the blueblack cold" (2) referred to how he got up when it was still dark outside and also freezing just to start the fire and would not have anyone get out of bed until the house was warmed up "When the rooms were warm, he'd call" (7). This father would work all week long, only to take care of the family on the weekend also. I believe that the family was grateful of him, but nobody would ever come out to say it. It is hard on a person when you do something for someone day after day, and never get no thanks. I can only imagine how he felt, and it must have been hard on him.