"Elegy for My Father's Father," which appeared in James K. Baxter's 1966 poetry collection Pig Island Letters, is a poignant and reflective poem that explores the complex relationship between the poet and his paternal grandfather. The speaker reflects on the older man's life, describing him as a hard-working farmer who lived close to the land. Baxter employs vivid imagery to portray the rugged beauty of the natural world and the profound connection his grandfather had with it. However, the poem also discusses the fact that Baxter's grandfather was closed off and reserved, a fact that Baxter bitterly regrets.
"Elegy For My Father's Father" is considered one of Baxter's best and most well-known poems. Critics praised "Elegy For My Father's Father" for its lyrical quality, evocative imagery, and emotional depth. Pig Island Letters, the title of which references an island inside New Zealand's Lake Wakatipu, stands out amongst Baxter's other poetry collections as being particularly well-received due to its clarity of voice. The collection appeared during a period of Baxter's increasing disillusionment with the state of modern New Zealand society. Its cultural criticisms presaged Baxter's decision to form the commune at Jerusalem in 1969.
