Sunday, July 10, 2011

My grandfather, Francis Smith “Duke” Dane II, was something of a mystery to me when I was younger. He didn’t seem comfortable with our part of the family at all the I got to see him when he was alive and then suddenly he died when I was nine. So it’s accurate to say that I really didn’t know him at all. Several years ago, I came into possession of several boxes of his stuff, which had sat in his second wife’s home for over twenty years. Included in these boxes were several volumes of letters and diaries from Duke’s time as an Antarctic explorer. He was a member of the dog driving team that went to the South Pole with Admiral Byrd on his second expedition from 1933 to 1935. (More information on Duke and the Polar Expedition here).

I’ve come to know at least one version of Duke Dane through these writings and for this I am grateful. I have a feeling that other members of my immediate family and perhaps others will appreciate the opportunity to get to know this Duke a little bit through his writings. So I’m going to bring some of them to you through this blog called “Dukish Thoughts”. This title appears in a special section of short prose and poetry in the back of one of the volumes of letters I have. I’m going to start this blog by transcribing this section. I’ll put a few notes in here and there to indicate information that I think you may find useful surrounded by brackets like these: [ ]

At Sea 11/15/33
He who loves to live and lives to love shall realize the meaning of being:- being of God.
He who exists to gain shall never be satisfied.

Success is not a destination but a journey

[Charles Gilkey, who met Duke after he returned from Antartica, wrote a convocation speech about this last phrase, which he read when Duke loaned him his journals]

To Dad 11/33
Success is silent, generally hidden from the successful, but gloried in by the successors.- And so I glory.

L. A. 3/12/34 [“L.A.” stands for Little America, the expedition’s base in Antarctica]
He who is asslike in being made the ass is truly an ass.
He who is a gracious goat in being made the goat will hook the beauties of life with his horns, thereby tasting no little gain and satisfaction beside being useful.

At Sea Dec./33
Keen eyes that see, kind hands that do,
Strong mind so clear, and willingness too –
My Dad’s.
Deep thoughts so pure, kinds words only spoken,
Well chosen path, with footprints unbroken-
My Dad’s.

Lithe fingers worn, God’s beauties producing,
Quick action ever, our troubles reducing-
My Dad’s.
Warm heart beloved, good deeds unended,
My love with his atwine is blended-
My Dad’s.

May 26/34. L.A.
Nature take all:- I thought I knew of passion, and thought I could express it. I had imagined much your glory, but I had never felt your grip. Thought I’d viewed impressions, but now I have lived your spell. I’d thought that I’d been bonded, to things I couldn’t tell. I thought I’d used my senses; I hadn’t yet been born. Return me, yes- to blindness. I have lived, I have seen the light. You have humbled me I realize. This being,- being,- this being in your night.

May 29/34. L. A.
What is disappointment but a challenge. He who knows not of disappointment is deprived of many challenges. What does the real man except [sic] more vigorously than a true challenge? There is beauty in the bee that stings, there is heat in the fire that burns. Bring on the bees, sting my pride; heap the fire, burn my ego.
(almost crossed out 10/24/34)

Bible Acts 1,3-4.
And Peter fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, Look on us (5) And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. (6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

June 17/34. L.A.
Happiness; yes some people here have it. We all have our happy moments. It is sometimes momentary and generally a surface tension, you might say. Maybe I have more than my share. I certainly have enough to share it more abundantly than I do. Prayers are lovely and maybe strengthening to some. My communion with my God is my endeavor. The endeavor is not only share happiness but give. It was not that the cripple walked when Peter gave; it was that he saw the light. May I give with the earnest endeavor that sheds kindliness. May I help, in some little way, others to see the light. Then shall I feel the deep fullness of joy. Joy the Sun of the planets of happiness, pleasure, delight, comfort and peace.

1933 Christmas poem from the Family, opened in the Antarctic Circle and reread many times later:

A Happy Christmas, a bright New Year
Is the wish we send today,
God’s help to strengthen, His light to cheer,
And His Love to guide your way.

A thankful heart for the days gone by,
More faith for the days to be,
To face the strife, though you know not why,
To trust, through you can not see.

A life to be spent for the lives around,
A love which is strong and true,
And o’er ocean and barrier, even of ice,
We are sending our best love to you.

My answer – L.A 9/15/34
Your worries and cares, your valiant fight,
Your love so strong and true,-
Gives me the courage to see the light
Of a finer life to pursue.