When Poetry Still Sailed Proudly

Re “A Strong Constitution” (July 11): When I read Oliver Wendell Holmes’ “Old Ironsides” poem, tears filled my 77-year-old eyes. I can still recite it. When I was a kid, Old Ironsides meant a lot to us.

What is additionally significant was the use of poetry to galvanize citizens into restoring and saving that grand old ship. Years ago, I was in the Capitol building in Fresno, and there were old newspapers encased along the wall. Nearly every one of the newspapers had on its front page the latest poem of such literary giants as Holmes. Ah, those were the literary days.

ROBERT E. BUTLER

Buena Park