Poems in a way are spells against death. They are milestones, to see where you were then from where you are now. To perpetuate your feelings, to establish them. If you have in any way touched the central heart of mankind's feelings, you'll survive.

Quoted in his obituary Dartmouth University news release

In Memoriam: Richard Ghormley Eberhart Class of 1925 Professor of English, Emeritus, Dartmouth College (1904-2005)