BUENA PARK, ILL., DECEMBER 4, 1893. by Eugene Field: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This letter is a touching message from the poet Eugene Field to a dear friend in the clergy who is seriously ill.
The poem
This was only one phase of the life of this great-hearted man, as it came close to his friends in the ministry. Other clergymen who knew him well will not forget his overflowing kindness in times of sickness and weariness. At least one will not forget the last day of their meeting and the ardor of the poet's prayer. Religion, as the Christian life, was not less sacred to him because he knew how poorly men achieve the task of living always at the best level, nor did the reality of the soul's approach to God grow less noble or commanding to him because he knew that too seldom do we lift our voices heavenward. I am permitted to copy this one letter addressed to a clerical friend, at a time when Eugene Field responded to the call of that undying puritanism in his blood: DEAR, DEAR FRIEND: I was greatly shocked to read in the Post last night of your dangerous illness. It is so seldom that I pray that when I do God knows I am in earnest. I do not pester Him with small matters. It is only when I am in real want that I get down on my wicked knees and pray. And I prayed for you last night, dear friend, for your friendship--the help that it is to me--is what I need, and I cannot be bereft of it. God has always been good to me, and He has said yes to my prayer, I am sure. Others, too--thousands of them--are praying for you, and for your restoration to health; none other has had in it more love and loyalty than my prayer had, and none other, dear friend, among the thousands whom you have blessed with your sweet friendship, loves you better than I do.
This letter is a touching message from the poet Eugene Field to a dear friend in the clergy who is seriously ill. Field confesses that he doesn't often pray, but when he does, it's from a genuine place of need. He shares that this prayer, rooted in love and loyalty, is among the most heartfelt offerings he's ever made. It's a brief, intimate reflection that speaks volumes about friendship, faith, and the hopes we cling to when we're frightened of losing someone we care about.
Line-by-line
This was only one phase of the life of this great-hearted man...
DEAR, DEAR FRIEND: I was greatly shocked to read in the Post last night of your dangerous illness.
It is so seldom that I pray that when I do God knows I am in earnest.
It is only when I am in real want that I get down on my wicked knees and pray.
And I prayed for you last night, dear friend, for your friendship--the help that it is to me--is what I need...
God has always been good to me, and He has said yes to my prayer, I am sure.
Others, too--thousands of them--are praying for you, and for your restoration to health...
none other, dear friend, among the thousands whom you have blessed with your sweet friendship, loves you better than I do.
Tone & mood
The tone is both urgent and tender, infused with a raw honesty. Field writes like people do when they're scared — straightforwardly, without embellishment, cutting through the usual social niceties. There’s also a subtle humor in phrases like 'my wicked knees' and 'I do not pester Him with small matters,' which prevents the letter from becoming overly sentimental. It feels like a man writing quickly, from the heart, late at night after absorbing some troubling news.
Symbols & metaphors
- Wicked knees — Field's description of his knees as 'wicked' captures the complexity of his relationship with faith. He's not someone who naturally leans towards piety, and he recognizes that. The act of kneeling — which symbolizes prayer — reflects how much he values this moment.
- Prayer — Prayer here isn't just a routine act; it's a special, intentional gesture meant for true crises. Its infrequency is what makes it significant. Field sees prayer as a symbol of the deepest care he can extend to someone else.
- The newspaper — Reading about his friend's illness in the Post, a public newspaper, highlights the shock of the moment. This private grief comes through a public channel, making the intimacy of the letter that follows feel even more necessary and urgent.
- Thousands of prayers — The image of thousands praying for the friend highlights the clergyman's broad influence and cherished reputation. Field uses it to pay tribute to his friend's life, while also emphasizing that his own prayer is distinct — grounded in personal love rather than just a sense of communal obligation.
Historical context
Eugene Field (1850–1895) was a journalist and poet based in Chicago, celebrated for his sentimental children's poetry, particularly "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod." He was a prominent writer for the Chicago Daily News and cherished by many for his warmth, humor, and ability to forge friendships. This letter was penned just two years before his passing, during a peak in his public acclaim. The way it’s presented suggests it was published after his death as a tribute, likely in a memorial collection or literary magazine. The mention of "that undying puritanism in his blood" hints at the 19th-century perspective on Field's New England roots; he was partly raised by a strict aunt in New England after losing his mother at a young age. In this letter, we see a side of Field that often got overshadowed by his playful and whimsical public image: a man with deep emotions and a sincere, though unconventional, faith.
FAQ
It’s a letter, shared here as a piece of literature. Eugene Field was mainly recognized as a poet and journalist, and this work was kept and published due to its literary and emotional depth. The editorial introduction positions it as a glimpse into Field's personal character. Numerous prose letters from poets are examined and included in anthologies as significant literary works in their own right.
The letter does not specify who it is addressed to. The editorial introduction refers to the recipient simply as 'a clerical friend' — suggesting he is a minister or clergyman. The editor mentions that this friend's identity is kept confidential, a typical practice in memorial publications of the 19th century. For the editor, and for us, what’s important is the heartfelt expression in the letter, not the exact identity of the person it’s meant for.
The editor is pointing to Field's New England roots. Although Field was born in St. Louis, he spent part of his upbringing in New England following his mother's death, growing up in a home influenced by strict Protestant beliefs. In this context, 'Puritanism' doesn’t imply a lack of joy or flexibility — it refers to a profound, inherited moral seriousness and a personal connection with God, which can emerge during genuine crises, even among those who don’t regularly practice religion.
It’s a self-aware, somewhat rueful joke. Field recognizes that his knees aren’t used to kneeling in prayer—they're 'wicked' because they've been more focused on worldly pursuits than on devotion. This humor also lightens what is otherwise a very vulnerable admission. It’s Field's way of being honest about his imperfect faith without turning it into a big, dramatic confession.
Not exactly. He honestly admits that he isn't a conventionally devout man—he doesn't pray often, and he acknowledges that. However, the letter suggests that the quality of a prayer is more important than how often one prays. Field isn't apologizing for who he is; he's explaining why this specific prayer holds such significance. Its rarity makes it feel genuine.
The date — December 4, 1893 — anchors the letter in a particular moment of Field's life, just two years before he passed away in 1895. It adds a sense of authenticity: this isn’t a poem meant for publication but rather a personal note written on a night when Field received troubling news and decided to write. The exactness of the date contributes to its immediacy.
The letter doesn't provide clarity, nor does the editorial framing. Field's certainty is based on faith, not on factual reporting. At this moment of writing, he chooses to believe that his prayer has been heard and answered. The text doesn't reveal whether the friend recovered, but Field's confidence is what matters — it illustrates his complete commitment to this prayer.
Field is often celebrated for his light, sentimental verses—children's poems, humorous newspaper articles, and playful literary parodies. However, this letter reveals a different side of him: the person behind the humor, who could express deep loyalty and raw emotion. The editor's framing emphasizes this notion—that Field's public warmth stemmed from something authentic and personal, rather than being an act for an audience.