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Party favor holds rhythms of a life
By MARY JANE PARK ST. PETERSBURG -- Guests who attended a Christmas party given by Eckerd College president Donald R. Eastman III and his wife, Chris, received a special gift: a custom-printed chapbook of verse titled In Florida, five Donald Eastman poems. He has a bachelor's degree in philosophy and English from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate in English from the University of Florida. He has taught poetry and fiction. Over the last couple of decades, he has published three or four other such works. Writing poetry is "something I do because I enjoy it," he said. "I find it useful in a variety of ways ... to try and articulate things that I feel and see and, occasionally, I believe. "It's an attempt at articulation, not just words on paper, but some rhythms. The whole meaning of some of those poems is to get some of the rhythms." The work includes a verse titled Pass-a-Grille at Sunset, remembrances of his father and grandmother and observations in a hotel in Roanoke, Va. Emma, an affectionate poem dedicated to Chris Eastman for the couple's wedding anniversary last June, is a tribute to their miniature poodle Emma, a "very stylish, attractive dog" he gave to Chris as a birthday present several years ago. The Eastmans have three adult sons, and the family earlier had included poodles. "We were dogless," Donald Eastman said, and he liked it that way. "I was pretty hard-nosed." Then the couple's middle son acquired a poodle, and Donald Eastman caved. Chris needed something to nurture, and "I thought it would be a shame if her next poodle came from her second husband," he teased. "Life would not be possible without Emma. Emma is devoted to my wife." And Emma is a celebrity on the Eckerd campus, well known to students, faculty and staff. She celebrated her third birthday Dec. 27 and got a Christmas present of her own: Anna, a black miniature poodle puppy. "They play 24/7," Chris Eastman said last week. "They are so happy together." EmmaShe tastes the air as if It were a long, narrow ribbon of chocolate A streaming tickertape of news To be scanned, mulled, investigated further Or disdained as insignificant. Near home Foreign dogs and bicycling neighbors Are cause for great alarm and outrage: The castle will be defended to the death Against such horrific passersby. At home, however, The point of life, its very meaning, Is to position herself at the point Of maximum perspective, So that Above all, You are always in view. A black cloud Of elegant refinement Shadowing your every step, She is an allegory of affection: Baby, sister, lover, daughter Bringing you love From all directions at once. (June 28, 2002: Thirty-third wedding anniversary)
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