/A
"H
7:1
LONeWOOD COLLEGE VOLUME
I,
NUMBER
2,
1966
you old
bell
so high and mighty you think you are
up there above all others free to do as you please curse you and your freedom too bad you're unfeeling you damn piece of bronze I
Dabney Lancaster Library Longwood College Farmville, Virginia
STAFF EDITOR IN CHIEF
.
.
.
Freda Richards
New
Feature editor
Linda
Poetry editor
Donna Barnes Julia Horner,
staff
Phyllis Myers Joan Emerson, Barbara Garrison
Essay editor staff
Short-story editpr
,.
•
.
.
staff
.......
Art Editor
Karen Diehl
staff
,
.
.
MaryGompf Frances Wynn Betsy Paige Taylor Phyllis Boykin,
Pat
Literary Board
Linda Dyer
Hutchenson,
Carol
Mann, Joan
Daniel, Vivian Gale, Barbara Powers,
Business
manager
Circulation
....
Manager
.
.
.
Jerry
Kelly
Susan Besley Marilyn Green
Ann
staff
Faulkner,
Nan
Mary Edgerton, Judy Forrester, Norma Johnson, Terry Lanahan, Alice
Bowles,
Jenkins,
Sandra Rhodes, Nancy Spain, Pat
Thrift,
Beverly Rennie,
Judy Zabor-
sky, Vickie Jester
Head
Typist
Board
of
Advisors
Marshall
....
Overby
Mr. Herbert Blackwell, Miss Barbara Bishop, Dr. Rose-
mary Sprague, Mrs. Ruth
Taliaferro
FROM THE EDITOR —
SHOCK Is this all the editor of this magazine Is attempting? Is the shock value in a piece of work more Important than the essential truth In It? These queries may be raised by voices angered by the unconventional material In this, the current Issue of the GYRE. These angry voices may be students who have thumbed through the magazine, found a questionable word, dwelt upon sentence out of context, or misinterpreted a Naturally every student cannot be exto understand all the work Included In a literary magazine, but those who bother to read It must approach the work with honesty, be a
poem.
pected
willing to
be drawn
be moved or touched emotionally, and in by the work.
Honesty
may
is
possess
the most important quality a student his or her standards,
—honesty about
and
Before condemning a the magazine, a reader must ask himself, "Haven't said that before too?" desires,
emotions.
word or sentence
In
I
to be an Integral part of It must necessarily reflect a prevelent student attitude, even If this Is an attitude which the students themselves hesitate to claim. magazine cannot be honest In Its aim to reflect collegiate life when it Is hypocritically shielding the student from what he already knows. It Is then up to a literary magazine to goad sleeping minds Into thought; if horror Is the If
a
publication
is
the college.
A
immediate reaction, at least a beginning Is made. Consequently the second issue of the GYRE cries
for
attention.
shock has worn
off,
more
at
carefully
about war, and
Possibly, at least
bells,
feel
after
think
more
Lockwood,
more deeply about Warren Dr.
Dorothy
Donna Weatherly, who were
B.
will
Initial
look
Intelligently
Sincere thanks go out to Mr. Dr. Patton
the
one reader
love.
Eyester,
Schlegel, and
the kind
and under-
standing judges for the annual Literary Contest.
Without
their
knowledge and
help,
the contest
could not have been such a success.
The Editor
TABLE OF CONTENTS German
Fictic
Ruby
Vickie
3
(second
Jester
poem
place
Paige Mitchell
36
saying
Barbara Melton (honorable men-
37
in
tion
poetry)
in
shorf-story)
40
L'amour Impression place
prose impression)
In
for part ol
The Creature in
No.
(special
(first
(first
place
by Linda Dyer (honorpoetry)
Young
Portrait of the Student as a
29
Chris
Dixon
Many
short-short story)
Helen
32
Portrait
in
is
in
Pecht
place
(first
in
Gone
Thousand
—
a
review
Myers
Phyllis
42
Dear Rus
Goodes
Susan
prose impression)
The Train
Ida
41
Chris Dixon
38
The Clover Ring
Art Work:
Maye Simmons
ink
Poetry:
Not So Bourgeois
—
Freda Richards
We
25
Three
Karl
to
(first
Shapiro
place
in
7
poetry)
drawing
poem
Dainty
28 are
Arendall
9
Champ
Arendall
Ink
drawing
36
28
24
30
Pat Peregoy
Betsy Paige Taylor 16
Linda Dyer
Betsy Paige Taylor
Freda Richards the
Daffodils
beth Uhler (second place
Regrets
Peregoy
Champ
pencil drawing
Freda Richards
Pat
7
ink
How
5
print untitled
19
Girl
Mary Gompf and Barbara Garrison
Thread
Needle and
Edwina Miles
Articles: in
short-short story)
A
44
inside cover
place
Joyce Albro (second place
26
Pat Gillette
Linda Dyer
43
able mention
short story)
1
poem
longer work)
Helen Pecht
21
poem
path of sun
Edwina Miles
10
Freight of Flesh
award
(second
Melton
Barbara
8
Pat Gillette
In
35
drawing
34
Pat Peregoy
Eliza-
35
Suzie Williams
39
Virginia Padgett
poetry)
ink
drawing
43
Pat
Peregoy
31
Coarse white hair framed Ruby's brown face. was old, but nobody knew fiow old. Mama
Sfie
used to say
age
—
are.
it
they
was
tiard to
never
look
be sure old
as
of a Negro's
they really guess that would put Ruby well over 100,
I
as
'cause she looked pretty old.
There's a
backyard.
house, about
little
Pop keeps
his
10'
10'
x
lawnmower,
in
our
rakes, paint
and other household tools there now; but, when was small, that was Ruby's house. A small oil stove burned in one corner and she had a chair, single bed and a light. A wire ran over the door I
to
the
and there the naked bulb hung,
light
illuminating Ruby's "house." All
the
kids
in
the
gentle Negress, and
parents
us
let
it
neighborhood loved this was a rare treat when our
her house after the supper Since was her "angel,"
visit
dishes were put away.
1
always got to sit the closest and could watch her fat lips smack together while she talked. I
"Ruby, what's that?"
"Why
chile,
that's
1
my
asked one day. chin.
same
the
It's
as
yourn."
We
all
began
to laugh
of us together don't
"Honey,
a
I's
big
have
and
Phil said,
that
much
woman and
'All five
chin!"
gotta
have a
pow'rful chin."
Ruby was
she was a big woman, a mountain of chocolate flesh. She looked like a chocolate soda in a short, fat glass, and right,
her white
hair lips
was the whipped cream topping.
became
a
plump cherry
the topping.
that
That was our Ruby and every ounce of her tremendous bulk. Ernie, Alice,
front of
one
fHer red
had
fallen
off
we loved
Vera and
of the
Phil sat on the bed, in two windows, and had the I
(continued on page 4)
RUBY
seat
(continued from page 3)
—on
the
She'd
most always be
honor
of
Ruby's feet.
never too tired to
heavy body
tell
three
us a story.
into her chair,
her bones to crack.
legged
I'd
sit
at
but
It
Ruby,"
you
chillun,
laugh.
sputtering
can
I?
for
one
pupils filled
Yous too smart begin
again,
and spurting words between her wellteeth. Her face was no longer
when she began telling her story. Her became dilated and her speech rapid and with excitement. We'd sit and listen care-
fully to
A
a
little
chile.
pointing a
fat
"I'm no baby child!" three year old Vera an-
sister in the ribs.
as
little
chile.
chile,"
this
she could be!
busy to keep up wif her schoolin'. When she war only nine yars ole she had four babies at home to tend. Her mama and papa had left de babies
in
as
her care
used to be
It
'n
I
Alice
swered.
can't
amember
yawned and
to
ain't so
dat part.
before she an-
stretched
Clarence cut wood and Henry
"Yes.
Taylor worked for the railroad." oldest of the group, a bully all
seem
don't
I
My memory
does you know whar dey worked?"
Alice,
and a
She was the tease,
and we
She was outgrowing Ruby's story
hated her.
'cause
she were de oldest
girl."
"Tell us
about her brothers. Ruby!"
"Wall,
she
had two brothers, Clarence and
we
Boy, did
tion.
hate her.
"Clarence cut wood
"Thas right," Ruby said.
Henry Taylor was
How
could
dinn't little
a while thar were a
Ruby continued, "were as black This chile growed up wifout no mama or papa to look after her. She had to figger out de whole world all alone. She teached herself to read 'n write a little. But she war too An'
good
see.
whar dey worked.
was ready
"I'm a big girl."
"Let her go on," Alice said, as rhe jabbed her
"Once upon
they were so young, where
"If
Now lemme
"Whar?
and
finger at Vera.
swered indignantly.
in,
'n
dere earnins."
and was bored by every word and every ques-
every word.
"Once upon a while thar were baby chile, like you," Ruby said,
little
Ernie broke
fo
tlr-
did they work?"
of
spaced yellowing tired
work to buy
to
Clarence were
dey worked hard
listen
a word,
She'd
go
to
and
recollect
she'd
cen't fool
"I
for
dey had
'n
teen den and Henry Taylor, he war fifteen,
was always the same
and every time she changed
Taylor,
Lowering her
would correct her:
us
Henry
bread, and taters and coal.
She'd breath heavily for a
while and begin the story. story
stool tired,
schoolin',
girl
went
little
Clarence and Henry
have to work so hard no
black
messenger.
When de
forget dat?
I
fo
railroad
a
mo
uns T.
'cause de
a lookin' for a job!"
"Did she find one. Ruby?" "Yas, she found herself jobs:
cookin', cleanin',
de one she liked best was mindin' babies. She worked at dat job until she met George." "George, who's George?" It was Phil who sewin'
In
a big factory, but
asked the question.
"Why you know who George is, Phil! He's de man de black girl got herself married to, and den she dinn't have to look after other people's chillun 'cause she had eight of her own to mind." "Boy,
that's
What'd she do
sure with
a
lot
them
of
all?"
children.
Ruby!
"Wall, she loved 'em, an' cared fo 'em, and
nursed 'em when dey was
allln'. She saw dey was educated, and de next thing she knowed, dey was growed up, married and havin' babies
theirselves!" "I
bet she got lonesome with
gone,"
"She
same
"What
said.
I
all
her children
did she do then?"
toolt to carin' fo
white folks chillun again,
when she were a youngin. She dinn't really need to work 'til after George was hurt on de farm. Dat were de doggonedest piece of luck, how George got hurt. He had went out an' bought a hoss. Dat hoss were somethin' else. It was de wild'st critter alive. Dat hoss bucked up once and come down on ole George an' knocked him flat on de groun'. hie were nevar de same as
after dat.
hie got to actin' funny.
round and get fo
She took care of him fo a long while, met his maker an' his salvation. De
him.
den
He'd wander
have to go alookln'
an' she'd
lost,
he
black girl, who was too ole fo hard farm labor anymore, sold de farm to pay fo de funeral spences. An' den she moved back to de city to find work."
"Why "Move
my grandma
in
dere own
wif her chillun!
Dey
with
in
her children?
did," Ernie said.
Why
dey was
leadin'
want no ole lady An' she dinn't want no charity. She
'round!
wanted
move
didn't she
That's what
lives.
to earn her
dinn't
own keep."
"Did she find another job?" Vera asked.
"Why, corse cookin',
nicess, sweetess "Is
chile.
cleanin',
she
still
"She shore
little
She found
chillun
.
.
herself
job
a
over five of de
watchin'
an'
.
just like
you!"
there?" is!
An'
she'll
stay
dere
'til
dey
(continued on page 6)
page
RUBY
5)
don't need her no more, or
until
she goes off to
Dey
She sorta misses her husbin.
see George.
bin apart fo a long time now."
"You mean she wants Ruby?"
to
leave
nice
those
children,
"No
she don't want to leave, but some-
chile,
day, someday soon
be
fear
a
she'll
There would
to."
rock back and forth
"Lands,
chillun,
time you was
it's
them
to
feel
being the
first
Ruby would be
Often,
soft
earth
breeze. there
Each of us
Importance
a sense of
felt
Ruby's house.
In
the
charge of opening the west-window, and it
was her duty to see that the
stove was burning.
because
"oil
was
in
just
Ruby never
and matches
charge
being
just
summer, Vera was
is
let
In
She
job to straighten the bedspread and check to see light,
before
feet
climbing
Phil and Ernie had the hardest and they were proud of it. They had the task of getting Ruby out of her chair! I'd stand back while Ernie and Phil each grabbed
onto Ruby's bed. job of
and pulled the massive form from
the comfort of
A
her chair!
would have been
of
more
block and tackle
help, but
somehow
the
two small boys always managed to get her back on her
At door
feet.
night
it
was always
my
first
and
turn on the light.
vas her
little
doorman and
job to open
that
the
She always said
my
|ob was the
light
A
above
sit
us
would
and hold
us
black spider lived
little
We'd
He
Ruby.
for
there,
but
only
this
light
night,
alone,
try to pull
it
like
the cord of the
had no cord, only a switch. to see If It would extinguish
the light, but the spider always scurried
taking
came
never
when we were
thread that looked
all
a fleshy wrist
all
The spider would be suspended from a
waiting.
thin silver
everyone had clean
and we'd
to hypnotize us
she came.
when she was
was Alice's
It
liked
house.
even when there was no
fro,
we waited
us while it
The
outside.
seemed
No one little
above the light, hie must have had a home there beyond the socket someplace. He lived all alone too and would swing down to entertain
oil
little
her light
dangerous!"
of checking.
In
the
It
until
late
was Important
her heavy footsteps on the
for
always swing to and
Rocking slowly, pensively,
silently.
winter
quietly waiting
it
too.
to enter the dark
giggle
the naked light bulb.
thought
I
me
she never told
guess she didn't want
I
in
and squeal as we ran out of Ruby's house, leaving her alone, rocking under
We'd
that
bad.
Scat, now, scat!"
bed.
In
course,
and pretty spooky
though,
her big chair, then break
In
Of
most important.
that in front of the others.
She'd
Ruby's eye as she ended.
in
the silence:
have
the
silver
thread
he didn't come.
with
We
him.
upwards
Then,
one
waited and waited,
—
but the black spider was gone
forever.
Vickie Jester
Not So Bourgeois Shapiro, you speak to
—
to Karl Shapiro
me
In words so liquid and revered Your circumcised phallus waves triumphantly Scattering your words so valuable upon moist
ground.
read you and understand; cannot empathize but only know. Those references to Baudelaire and your I
I
liking for
Randall I
understand.
have never turned back the sheets to See erotic dreams darkly manifes* on them, But then you have not known my secret thoughts, The moth that soft flies through my mind, I
The pulse beneath
my
breastbone promising new
life.
have not seen the Parthenon but
I
I
know
desecration.
You have never I
never
Except
O
sat in
my room and
in
yours
in
the nautilus of the
words you write
Israel.
Freda Richards
of
Somehow
as
about
look
I
dirty
room,
cliff,
about to tumble
The hour
truth.
to tremble with
ready
if
mass
that
everytime
am
simple
wrist
and see
dark
abyss
of
room seems
this
in
special consciousness as
brain with such a confused I
think
scream
I'll
if
I
and ungodly
so disorderly
is
leave
I
helplessly
because
How
of a
My
drawn
feel
I
my mind
It,
into this hole of stagnation
everything
that
here than the place beyond
more
is
real
my window.
In
I've
by the blinding
The
That, too.
fixtures are Icy to
Is
all
window
sill.
world, but dullness
its
puddle
the
but the light won't
can beckons from
be
to
me
Inviting
Into
There
no answer.
Is
light
all
Is
a
coke dried on the desk top, but that
of
me of my mouth
only
reminds
coke
left In
I
seems
It
dirty like
touch and the room
damp somehow, me idle there. An empty Budwelser beer
the
It.
my
to
anything beyond
is
always feels
filthy
creeps back to
edge
to press the
there really
eyes are rejected
rest.
let
But
would be
if
the bathroom.
in
don't
room.
this
In
It
the bleeding.
the disturbance of
in
can hardly bear to be
1
and
edge
out.
Everything
I
my
to stab
of thoughts that
them
spill
own
its
cluttered
the
the
into
and
late
is
this
am on
I
world, everything
silent
this
sense that
I
metallic
the as
always hope that cokes
aftertaste
will
the
my body.
tricked Into
It
dissolve the knots.
IMPRESSION let
ferment
it
not
let
Something inside
like this.
stop.
it
feel
I
within
the depths of
time
am
I
driven to
the living squalor
now
Is
It
in
my
very being and for a
live in
my
a place that reflects
mind.
worm
is
beginning to
Something
is
starting to turn those
I
am
aware
Everything
of
talking
is
every
object
stale
only old
papers,
cigarette butts,
that
crushed paper cups,
and empty
cans with the jagged edges
room,
tin
stick to
cans.
my
all
of
them screaming
voices
different
Green,
at
messages.
their
me
250
in
Fitzgerald,
hiemlngway, Wolfe, Sotelo, Calderon,
Hughes,
Barnes,
Cocteau,
Verlalne,
Mallarme, Valery, de Beauvoir, Camus, Sartre,
Genet.
All of
them with
their stories of anguish,
understanding are
I
1
1
began
onto the floor three days ago. Most of the
is
this
feel them living Inside of me. moving and hear them talking, and want to be want to walk the nightwood with them again.
this
spill
litter
stomach.
instant in
back to me.
overflowing
my
despair, suffering, struggling, loving, and finally
trash can
Is
the pit of
In
There are some 250 books scattered around
cold
Is
The trash
tin
way Into me. dead knots in
my mouth feels dry, my skin over my slender bones. In an
suddenly
room.
to
Its
usual feeling
stomach,
stretched
but the sickness lingers
Faulkner,
and the
close to 2 a.m.
of sickness
my
me would stagnation
peculiar
a
The brain.
streets;
I
want
to
live
and come to know the to
the
Paris
underworld
truths of thieves;
1
want
the blades of dazzling sunlight scar
feel
brain;
in
I
woman
want
to
with a
my
know what It Is like to be a whole want to whole man; most of all 1
know the comfort
BUT
just
of a rising sun.
then nny eyes
.
wander
.
.
that clings desperately to the wall.
round head of a young man. square-like pinks, his
In
face
and triangular fragments reds.
Posing the question
It
Is
as I
I
Barbara Melton
the of
of yellows
mark are
look with trembling eyes info his
see the reflection of myself.
Is
made
two red eyes which are on different
And that
and
hils
painting
to a
levels I
fear
FREIGHT OF FLESH The
freighf
groaned
a halt with
to
Its
when we were unloaded. Silence fell over the crowd in anticipation of the announcement. The German's voice rang clear In a halting French. He called out the names of people who were sent In the direction of the open fields and of those of us who were sent to the shacks on the
cargo
As the heavy wooden door slid open, my lungs gasped for air, an air which didn't reek of human sweat, elimination, life. A deep voice rumbled, "Get off, you dirty Jews. Get off." of flesh for the furnaces.
The
A to
cattle
lurched toward the
opening.
little
and
while looking skyward
The herd moved me
The windows gaped
ture.
woman who had
Two Ger-
like cattle;
have
much space.
their corral.
moving, swine."
me now
boy
moved through
mob
the
in
shoved him
slush,
ice,
crisp snow.
A
mud, "Drink
the
that.
I
stumbled and faltered
behind
me
my
In
direction.
if
I
A
The
people.
back
just
guns.
A
of
horrors
thin
rim of the
as coldly
floated
field that sat in the
houses.
We
were shoved
new moon looked
images
German
since that
Into
I
In
make-shift
strode over to us from
his car.
man who had been
that direction. lines.
hie
An
time
we
did
The hum
of
the
this
In
cattle
direction.
ebbed to and fro, sank to Weary, I
I
could blot
this
The room slowly grew quieter
life.
closed
an unreal world of sounds which
In
In
of
We
sank
the
forgotten
was trying
woke
on the
to
to
past to
handed papers
I
10
of
— people
and
limbs
became this
sea
among
slept, adrift
I
places
be remembered by
a
long
mind
to forget.
find
myself
In
a
ball
like
dawn filtered In through broken window panes. The man of
me
his hair
a
kitten.
the dirt
against
during the night.
my age even were gray and his
noticed that he was actually near
though the temples of
standing by the boxcar
bottom
the
with them.
the wall had crawled toward
officer
My
feeling.
sea of emptiness and then
a
The pink rays
middle of the settlement of
were herded
my
my mind
pulling
of the
his
In
weights which
had befallen our
as the steel
were
The man who had stumbled beside against the wall under a broken
had no place, no sense, no
row of gray frame houses appeared out smoky air; the mud path led up to a
the
to the
that
1
suspended
cried out from hunger and wet,
the
old
We
descended on those who hadn't slept for my heavy eyes and let my head My body became lean back against the wall.
days.
looked up, unconsciously, wondering
God saw
furni-
an
like
as sleep
but was silenced quickly as though she had been
gagged.
was forced
part out of
I
me
lay
only
the splintery floor, wishing that
That's
The cold wind stabbed through my silk blouse crossed my arms trying to keep and worn slip. my own body warmth to myself. The man beside child
left.
confused animals disturbed
that of
window. As the human
you're going to get."
all
not
if
mob was
called out for water, and a guard
Into
air,
us
her teeth.
halt
lost
at
housed up again
man soldiers stood glaring up at me. Bayonets moved toward my body, seeming to probe deep "Off, woman. Over there. Keep for my soul.
We
on the
to the shacks
The building was one big room with no
uttering a silent prayer.
to the precipice.
and those sent
right
cow of a grandmother squeezed a baby her bosom and moved toward the door, all the big
deep edged over
face was creased with sleep.
his
in
my arms
him into
shivered
him and pulled
warm
an attempt to
in
He
lines.
to
us both.
body trembled and he moaned
His whole
softly
dreams.
his
in
I
A
to stink just as the rail-
young cow
in
which
retched
gestation
wall.
of
sluggish senses.
My
eyes blurred; everything
into a picture of
My
lines.
state of nonexistence until the
In this
as
contour
whom we had into the
and dragged hard on
Germans
How
Wake I
only
in
Love amid
Wake
arms.
direction.
tried
I
rest of
my
More
Jews
little
whom
I
had
shook him gently, but he
I
The two men pulled him
and leaned him against the
getting ready to
I
filth.
your lover up, woman.
you
if
we
See
do
this will
knife;
happen
wall.
well,
"Now
what I'm
to any of the
catch you getting any sex."
turned over back to the scene and shoved fist
into
squatted
I
him;
beside
stomach heaved and
lay there In a
had
1
this
to quiet
It
time
my
with will-
power.
"Somebody go get some water. One of you women give me your slip or a scarf to use as a bandage." Nobody moved. The man stood up and looked from one face to another. "Where Is now? Are you just as inhuman Germans? You there, little boy, go get some of that snow; and you, who had him in your the Star of David
arms, give I
you.
He
would see.
I
as the
"Bastard, get up."
look close,
the chatter
be heard no
talk In a fearful buzz; women men hollered; babies whined. A white man came over and knelt down beside the
victim.
my
moaned.
to his feet
until
could
soldiers
stood up slowly and then turned, half
I
scared of what
haired
something besides
my
longer.
The
him up!"
in
departing
the
room. They laughed
had forgotten about the man
taken
There was a numbing silence
cried;
so as not to cause
making.
just
had entered, laughing.
seen the day
their smelly cigarettes.
two came
romantic.
the
in
a
the plaster
door squalled
my hatred of the my deportation to the gas chambers. The German stopped by me and called to his companion, "Come here. Look. to think of
down
people began to
The two guards, before, swaggered taller of the
slid
heap like a partially filled bag of meal. Blood was quickly covering the front of his pants. The
mind stayed
was opened.
it
body
his
into
me made
The man behind
faces.
raised
I
eyes
The Germans turned and walked out
wheezing of tired lungs had a hypnotic effect on
had a vibrating shadow which gradually blended
that.
unseeing
with
stared
scraping noise as
as they
my
came down and
heard many times after
I
my head and
be forced up. My stomach heaved then quieted itself. The low could
nothing
but
violently
pants
his
then there was a scream which resembled that
unfeeling
The room had begun road car.
The zipper on
crying.
my mouth
to
keep from cursing and
me
self-styled leader that this I
felt
though
as
whom
stranger
way. haired
looked
at
me
I
I
seemed man to
It
around your neck."
that scarf from
and handed
quietly untied the scarf
had
do something
for this
hurt In such as accidental
had like
to
to this
It
herd so badly needed.
it
took hours for the white-
administer
his
assistance.
He
moment with penetrating spoke, "He needs someone
for a long
gray eyes and
finally
(continued on page 12)
FREIGHT OF FLESH
(continued from page 11)
The bastards chopped him
to fake care of him.
up good." "I'll I
which were going out on work
take care of him.
said at
I
owe him
I
him up against the
sat
much,"
this
His face
wall.
and his body trembled. Some unknown force bound me to was
flushed
with
fever
a
bound me
human,
mutilated
to
him
until
loud-speaker barked
"Come
garbled.
"Can you
stand up 1
if
the sloshing of our feet through the mire and the
"No, stop.
I
Get your
daily
arm over my
left
move my
can't
Leave
legs.
me
anyway.
I'm not worth messing with now,
Get out there with 'em." He said this in a clear, deep voice while he stared ahead with a
soft,
let
his
arm
slide
from
and followed the herd
my
shoulder as
of lowing,
hungry
The bright sun snow caused me
out of the barn door. off
the
remaining
several times cattle, in
all
and
to lower
my
head.
conditions of starvation,
ing out of the surrounding shacks.
to
the
larger than
Nazi
soldiers
Four
naked
one we were staying
waited
rose cattle
reflecting to I
blink
noticed
come
The
1
pour-
field to-
ward which some of us had walked last night was an open expanse of trenches and mounds of freshly dug dirt. The same German officer stood by the same car that had been there last night. He handed orders to the same soldier who walked over to the same spot to make the announcement. This time a group of about twenty were sent to the decontamination chamber; thirty out to the field; the twenty-five from our boxcar
a
ceiling
corners.
four
the
into
hand.
In
hung from the
shadows
little
Four
in.
clipboards
with
bulbs
light
freakish
casting
building
a
into
filed
for
which should be out
of the cattle
We
pasture.
The windows were painted black on the inside and when the doors were closed the room seemed to
be
a
death house to
wheelbarrows waiting
silently
officer
motioned
hunched so,
white, yet his jaw
was
us as a
up along the
saw the two
I
set
The
ruthless fire.
a
cargo.
their
for
for us to line
dragging the man between with
Four empty
of us.
all
near the center of the shed
sat
As we were doing
twitch of a grin around his mouth. I
the
if
heavy breathing
shoulder.
alone.
the
soldiers
help by shouldering
I
his
lifted
to
man would cry in pain when moved him. There was silence except
the
rations."
your weight?"
strained
I
this
the field outside of
out.
me
shoved
of impatient cattle again
toward an unwanted destination. hear
Everyone strained to hear what was
the house.
being
in
The herd
rest to the trucks
details.
still
destruction of one or both of us.
A
and the
to the inspection station;
and
his
soldiers
soldiers
face was
His
us.
The wall.
eyes flamed
came over
to
group, and each had a twisted grin of
anticipation.
The German gold
rings,
minute. tear
it
officer's
"Strip.
rafters,
If
teeth,
voice
Everything
—
everything.
echoed
You
off
the
watches,
jewelry,
have
you haven't stripped by then,
one we'll
off of you."
Everyone glanced
at
one another, searching
for a
leader and an answer to the unasked ques-
tion.
The white-haired man shed
then went to his shirt and pants.
and decency was forgotten and child shed to his skin.
as I
his
coat
All
first,
modesty
each man, woman, looked toward the
man who had been
He
morning.
the object of Nazi hatred that
stood there naked with that same
which showed no pain, no feeling,
set face
just
a slow burning fire.
of
anatomy pride.
their
shoved; the children,
to see
if
and then
man.
anything had been
by probing hands and fingers. My turn was coming and could feel the blood rush to
my anatomy; my
the two most sensitive areas of
neck burned and
manding
my
officer knelt
legs trembled.
down
my
to
hie picked out a birthstone ring
my
gaze
start at
my body and a
my
feet
and
few possessions,
and the pin
Then he
fiance had given me.
The com-
let his
that
steady
meandered up
leisurely
stopping at the points of interest to him
his followers.
When
body; the
muscles
seemed
of
my
face
twisted
uncontrollable grin; and sweat broke out
in all
my
to scorch
'What's
your
There was a
sight.
could not break with
I
helpless
this
woman?"
name,
half-
barked
the
"Jeanette Monnler."
He in
it down on the clipboard and then same echoing voice ordered us to put
wrote
the
our clothes on and to ments.
back to our confine-
file
There was a silence of
relief
yet puzzle-
ment over what would happen next. We moved back to the shack wondering when our first meal would be served
The sun was melting
to us.
the remaining snow, making
on our weak
to walk
it
almost impossible
The muck oozed up
legs.
my
the shoe tops and then slithered down between the wet leather and the bare foot. The
an
squishing sound was that of a suction which was
our eyes met, there was
flow of electricity through the depth of
had
I
leader of the pack of hungry wolves.
insulted
I
man
accidently wronged. That flame which flickered
bond
The men were kicked and hit and pinched; the women,
tried to return his gaze; then
I
eyes were drawn to those of the
check-
line
ing each pile of clothing for valuables
left
my
there
The Germans advanced down ihe the person's
look through me.
over
over
toward our
pulling us
fate without a leader or a
me. The men moved on down the line; but this one kept looking back, not at my face but my body. When they reached the end of the line,
faith to
the two soldiers saluted.
started lowing softly without any purpose to the
"What
"We
Is
his
problem?"
caught him with
this
damn Jews
this
morning.
not to have any brats running
around here."
"Which one "The
sixth
us from
Germans had the
I
from the head fell
was
The muscles
tensed then relaxed, causing
to almost shake.
"Why
of the line, sir."
on me.
my
of
knees
His eyes were again trying to
man
that
He was
leaning
against
door,
staring
at
the
those burning eyes.
feeling the
It?"
and
silence
theli-
looked around for the
inside
just
fastened the door to
broke
cattle
had befriended. wall
It.
I
me
I
the with
turned and walked over to
was going to say yet words being drawn out of my throat.
him not knowing what of the bitches
The leader's gaze
my body
After the
our shack,
utterings.
woman
Henrick decided to use him as an example for those
keep
I
are you going to
low voice as he
slid
down
do
it?"
he asked
the wall with that
scraping noise that he had
made when
in
a
same
he
fell
from pain. (continued on page 14)
FREIGHT OF FLESH
(contmued from page
13)
"Do what?"
his
I
woman's scream drowned out the rest sentence. The cow In gestation was now
morning that has caused this?" He was startried ing straight into my eyes and everytime He to avoid his gaze his eyes followed mine.
words and
my
"I
my
to
thoughts
for help.
The to
as
soldiers just took the situation
throw a scare into
you something, yet there compare to what you have
us.
feel like
I
nothing
is
lost.
is
It
a
that
we
should seem to know each other so well yet not
side him on the cold floor.
and touched mine with
me
"Just call
We
you more.
one another. I'll
tell
Paul.
and any
I
There
my shape
In
you'll
sat
no need to
is
I
they'll
of
German
you have
because
of the others that
to,
All that
cared to love was destroyed back
in
This cut
before his
in
I
don't
of this
an anticlimax to a scene that burns
in
eyes, waking or sleeping." his
hands and rested
his
He
I
lips,
am
of
Make me one
"Please,
no more
less for the
often are the pains?"
against one another
just
this torture.
your service.
to
an apartment
by animals dressed as Gestapo.
my
from
ever loved or
Paris is
head
I
me
"Too often," she gritted as she grasped my hand again. This time her body twisted as if she were trying to free herself from an unwanted hand. All of the muscles of her body struggled
I
bear that kind of character.
to
hard towards you.
feel
take
"How
I
enough
was never uttered. As she relaxed,
could hear a prayer escape her
Some remaining dirty snow was collected and women contributed their slips to the cause. The white-haired man bent over her and asked,
of survival.
I
before.
a few
You know that it you're the captain's mistress, he won't make you wish had the same thing in walk the plank. me. try to have it but my body isn't strong you have a sense
words. He looked around was drawn toward the man
Nazis to enjoy."
soon gas me.
sleep with that
the
fight as the muscles of her throat constricted
God, good
tell
much more
soft
rose and
for a cry that
a light caress.
won't be seeing
you why
it
down beHis hand came out
even know each other's names."
in
I
can
that
odd
my
"You know anything about mid-wifery? This woman is having a miscarriage and need help. Get me some water and rags to mop up the blood. Move, you women." The woman grabed for my hand and squeezed
owe
I
I
who had ordered me
I
chance
.
The white-haired man quickly crossed the room her side. He bent over her examining her.
They exchanged
actions.
had you in was trying to keep you warm. arms because you were trembling in your
sleep.
." .
of
midst of labor.
I
into
short
in just this
a
this
couldn't look into me, but he forced
awkward, but
time I've grown to have a strong affection
you don't know what I'm talking about. could see the way you looked at hinn. What kind of friend are you? What were you doing that
drawn up knees. "Paul, this sounds
Don't pretend
"Sleep with those dirty Nazis.
burden.
selves
to
heap
elbows on
state.
14
a last effort to free herself
hips rose
the floor without
over their action.
held
in
Her
any control
Then there before me
of blood, tissue, fluid, I
and flung them-
having
life itself in
lay a
the unborn
looked away to keep from adding to the
sight with the heavings of an unsettled stomach.
My
eyes met Paul's,
were
ing; they
even
as
just staring
The
room; he was back
the
In
apartment
living
own personal
his
were lowing
cattle
He
The
moaned
girl
head
rolled
tensed
I
hler
I
escape her pain.
to
effort
last
was numb
woke
with
stuck together;
relief.
As
a corner.
taller
squeeze them. It
help
if
talking
to
beside.
life
saw
Impulse caused
hands and to
me
life
head
I
were trembling.
my
lifted
his
to take his face Into
pan
of
down
rattled
came
soldiers
In
again.
This time
the middle of the
at
I'd
seen
to
come
room and
of
chin
all
the
my
few rem-
Paul cleared his throat;
you
I
prophecy was
His
earlier.
—
could
feel
bitch,"
It.
growled
the
the
leading
they had a
my head
high with
heels,
without
him holding the
all
Nazi
Outside,
while.
day had turned
to
We
field
crossed
brown-gray rock to
a
little
at
frame
The door opened and there stood the The of the inspection team.
and then
quickly.
the
the
The mire
officer
shoved
soldier
It
after
quivering
from the floodlights blinded me.
night.
The two
left
is
him to see that same twisted
true-
on,
walked
light
un-
set
that
Monnier,
"Jeanette
out,
down
that
building.
and then opened.
bread and a bucket of water. They
In
my lips.
just
for
door was
soldier.
breathing rhythmically.
The door
looked
about
come undone
There was no resistance nor response, feeling
I
grin
"Would
those quivering, parting
kiss
a
"Come
As he
my
side;
and flashed The the room.
around
floodlight
one called
In his office,
stood up and tried to gather
I
It?"
or rapes
that his lips
blinding
left
bladder cried
soldiers entered
nents of poise about me.
and
Insldes
in this
Captain wants to see you."
In
crushed man,
down
about them?" I
a
The two
know."
a
kept
just
body.
my
you talked about
to look at me,
An
at
up,
girl's
grab
squatted
I
"Do people come by
to
look
the
of
looking
of
seemed
hand
giant
didn't
the direction
moment
that
He
sitting.
in
stayed
I
a corner, the
In
"The Captain wants her I
turned and walked slowly back over to where
was
was leaving me;
my
in
my
and
squatted
I
forced open.
Paul
sharp pain
a
mouth
I
staring
eyes refused to
to the existing world.
Her breathing ceased as her muscles relaxed. looked up to the white-haired man and he nodded his head. He motioned for two men to come over and help him move the body over to
I
my
feeling
all
down
heaviness floated
floor;
void for what seemed to be moments of eternity.
have broken.
her unconscious state,
in
focus on any object;
taken
stop the
from side to side; then her body
one
in
to
A
gone now for awhile. and pushed me to the
an
in
just
to
tried
dam seemed
Paris
that
in
themselves
to
The white-haired man
flow of blood but a
wasn't
hell.
attempt not to see the scene that had place.
were
the scene
if
reenactment of an old play.
a
just
The cattle rushed to the trough and grabbed like a starved herd. The bread was hard and dry and the water was laced with salt. A dream world seemed to settle on the herd. The gnawing ache that had been below my ribs was saying a word.
were no longer burn-
hlis
me
through the door, clicked
left.
I
his
glanced around the room
There was a desk, a leather chair, a (continued on page 16}
15
FREIGHT OF FLESH
and
cabinet, I
What
cot.
a
did not know, but
(continued From page 15)
German
ness of this hulk of a
He motioned for me He licked his thin lips your lover
to
was entering
I
officer.
sit
down on
The
the cot.
"Who
he spoke,
as
evening?
this
hell
could sense the unnatural-
I
back
fellow
Or do you have
for it?
you hardly miss I
is
the
Do you
shack can't give you anything anymore.
ache
in
so seldom that
it
it?"
watched him move with the grace
He
cat over to the cabinet.
of a giant
fixed himself a drink
and then turned and contemplated my body. could
feel
under
his
He swung
steady gaze.
hung
that
but
every piece of clothing
at
his
side
My
that evil stare.
I
away
a leather strap
and grinned
eyes glared with hatred.
his
falling
I
at
mouth
his
tried to return
chest tightened as though
I
might scream but then relaxed.
me,
"Excuse
moved toward
back
building.
I
of
could
swelled thirsty ;;
door
the
hear
my
in I
the
was.
mouth;
little
calls,"
room
My
running. I
had
he came
he
to the
tongue
forgotten
how
he
the
out,
left
open and could hear the drip of knew now the hell that was awaiting
partially
a fawcet.
a
Behind the closed door
water
When
nature
but
please,
purred as he
I
I
me.
"Take 1
he
off
your clothes, Jew."
glared back
in
would
to
have
defiance. take
withstand that torture.
room,
licking his lips
me.
he wanted me,
If
I
knew
He advanced
I
could
across the
and grinning. His body was
upon me and his hands pinned my shoulders to the kicked saw no use in trying to reason. cot. but his moist lips were upon mine forcing and teasing my parched tongue. He sat up beside I
I
me.
rolled
I
my
to
my
side with
back to him.
you do
will
water?
Would you
for?
It
can
have
Come
here,
you
Well,
through with you.
like
I
woman,
my He
get
want
I
my
skirt.
body.
He
me
rolled
over and Into
his
arms.
His
stalked
broke
my
side to
hips with
every sensitive spot.
hitting
out of
the
locker grip.
side,
I
was helpless
to
flaming
his
around
mind was repulsed with his very presence, my body was beginning to ache with its need. He released me and left me lying there
bottle
my
in
body trembled fiance.
heaved under my blouse. prayed would have the strength to stay Impersonal this
I
sensations
I
rang
I
under
did was twist
my
skirt.
stood up and brought the strap
my
thing
My
to
rolling laugh.
1
He as
his
It
He
suddenly
down hard
lifted
missed and as he
The
glass cut clean
at the
back of
watched him take another
the strap again;
my stomach
I
closed
my
his
with
heat of
the white to
my
de-
even fight or respond. of his fury.
His
—both were
just
tool
my nerves. A bell distance of my mind, cold sweat my pores, my heart pumped blood
which dissected
the of
I
until
thought
I
knew was the drip whole
tlnguishable
it
would
the
burst,
being
of the water.
ached when
fire.
1
1
raised by hands to
My
woke. an
unex-
my
puffed
with
and found cuts where teeth had eaten; felt around and found a gash across my nose and both cheeks. felt further and found that my clothes had been returned to me to cover the
across
lips
my breasts. The sting my back. He laughed a deep,
struck across
He
at him.
body was bloated and burning
weight,
chest catching one of
went through
in striking
whole world retreated to a distance; the only
I
all
hand.
lay there a
just
my head
to
the click of the catch that fastened the leather tried to turn
In
oozed out
I
but
were
probing hands, the stinging whip
As he bent over me again, drew my legs up and shoved him away. His eyes flared as he lunged at me pinning my body flat to the cot. He tore at my blouse and slip. His teeth were sharp and dug deep. clawed his back, feeling the skin and blood under my fingernails. heard
I
When we
was too weak
I
My body
whole orgy.
strap to his belt.
moved
hand slammed across my face. He knocked me down on the cot and went for my throat. My
My
I
and
bottle
We
that tiny prison; the distance
lunged
1
on the cot while he got himself another drink.
during
the wine
for
and deep into his upper arm. "Damn, whore," he growled
kisses.
My
that
was the savage
It
of the cabinet.
narrowed.
us
recovered
but
breasts
he ripped
distance of each other, he whipped the strap at
He grabbed my legs between With my arms pinned to
grip.
his
a
in
between
struggled to get
I
reached
I
a circle
In
fingers dancing along
his
out of the
it
just as
naked animal through a jungle
his
on the edge
It
looked up
strike with the strap.
of torture.
and tongue wandered lightly over my lips, cheeks, and neck; his hands eased down my
I
jumped up and got out of his reach. me with his right hand half raised,
I
hunter chasing
lips
my
at the sting trying to cut
ready to
you."
his
clawed
depths of
drink of
a
after
It
I
What
"Think you can put the freeze on me.
I
I
drink.
hideous remains of a woman's body.
eyes
speak but
leaving a thin cut.
my mouth was
dry and
I
tried to
my tongue
(continued on page 18)
17
FREIGHT OF FLESH
(continued from page 17)
my
stuck to the roof of
burned
still
"Don't
to
try
because
talk
be wasted same way they
found
I
a canteen
in
on the floor." The water splashed over washing away the cobwebs from
gulped of the
my
my
my
face,
mind.
I
the water causing lumps to de-
air with
scend to
eyes
his
they'll
love, the
Here's some water
rape.
looked up to
I
fire in
me.
into
The Nazis make
words.
mouth.
me. The
find Paul leaning over
stomach.
I
motion of the
became we were
gradually that
train
av/are on.
I
looked up into those searching eyes of Paul.
"We're on are
folk
on
live
He
my
"I
his
guess
you said
I
us
keeps you going? hell to
to the next?"
my
face and then
so that they
lips
had.
just
that
Life
is
more than
is
all
it
brushed mine.
sense of survival
just
day experiences;
that
just
up
gives
can be endured
to his neck
body and my
I
reached
boxcar swayed
being tossed about
of
for."
soul.
Suddenly the hollered that
that
my arms and pulled his head down to my His lips soothed the cuts In my
strength
aching breasts.
that
the every-
by the body and then that one degree more faith
for
it
How do
go on
wet hair out of
It's
gas chambers
for the
broken and used up
You've been out of
What
through one
stroked
lowered
of
All
here.
several hours.
you
bound
a train
and furnances.
like
we were
dice
in
derailing
and we were
a cup.
Someone
and a new spring
hope caused me to sit up. This time Paul for the door along with me.
was moving
Edwina Miles
18
YOUNG
PORTRAIT OF THE STUDENT AS A HI!
Isn't this
GYRE?
the
Since
I
skip
I
all
takes too
just
None they
my
of
don't read
it
to popular opinion do NOT watch "Batman" and "Peyton Place" very much (but do wish that Rodney, he's something else). they'd put some better comedies on T. V. and
trary
for
myself usually.
and
essays,
it
friends read
maybe have a good play now and then. I'd even down and watch an interview with a prominent
very closely either
it
it
away. After
all,
you can't
This
sit
government
talk
for voting
1
guess
I
should thank
1
myself.
mean,
I
owe
I
I
my
came
pace,
and
to win
if
If
you don't
you'd
music.
when
listen
I
to
interest in
radio about 5 hours a week
at
but once
idea,
in
while
a
I
listen
to
classical
just
You know, like when I'm studying and much attention to what's playing. don't watch T. V. much at Longwood
I
just
and limit
for
Three to four hours a week me.
to give in tion)
I
—
watch
stranded at I
I
When
I
do succumb
learned that
in
Is
When
my
of
London far,
claim they've seen
my
and
friends
I
and Ship
—
five).
would
that's a
page,
though
my I
all
of Fools.
border-
nothing else was playing.
.
.
age, mostly
begin
usually
sometimes
just
I
over to the comics to see what's
and the
If
it
suits
my mood
letters to the editor,
get a chance, I've
read
Up
I
read novels.
the
Down
I
friends has just read
for
read
I
but
I
skip
I
Why
Staircase,
think.
Shakespeare of
pleasure! That's going a
A
few of
my
little
too
freshmen buddies sup-
plement their classwork by perusing
I'm
(freshman
comp. again) Modern Sex Techniques, Sex and Marriage, and Sex and the Teenager. Isn't that cute?! guess if had to pick my favorite authors, wonder if Salinger and Steinbeck would win.
date
watch "Saturday Night at the Movies." They of the most ro-MAN-tic stories with
have some
the best looking bodies playing the leads.
I
lately
One
freshman composiIf
For a change of James Bond movies.
Candy, The Group, and Gone With the Wind.
means
"Man from U. N. C. L. E." LC for the weekend with no
skip
I
movies
to the
don't understand the business page, so
just
about the
(that
front
if
that.
don't have time what with classes and dating all.
the
a lot of reading for
the editorials
not paying too really
if
happened overnight.
music, too.
I
the
have to
I
go
I
newspapers and magazines.
in
with
I
of
friends
Course
do
Is,
LOVED The Sound
just
not so sure about Othello
really
I
listen to records for Longwood. like about the same amount of time. Mostly popular music, but movie soundtracks and folk music are nice, too. Now don't get the wrong
I'm
I
to see Lord of the Flies
line case.
have the normal amount of
I
my
that
Fair Lady.
get the chance,
We're
rather.)
Well,
we
like
(You can skip on to the trash cans now,
mind.
classmates,
saw three
I
(A few of
actually,
interests,
you about a few of those
tell
I'll
you how
tell
my
My
and
of Music
—
to the lib or something.
once or twice a month.
I
everything to
go
Like a lot of
"Miss Typical Longwood." I
I'll
all.
me
occasionally
official
didn't have to
NEVER thought I'd win. I'm so excited o'clock so can tell you about cut my
just
think
quite an honor, so
is
all
I
I
effort to find the short stories.
boy about POETRY, now can you?
you
if
— me being interviewed
the obscure poetry
much
and then throw
so
I
look at the pictures of the trash cans
just
to a
I
a riot
mean
GIRL
I
Con-
I
I
(continued on page 20)
19
PORTRAIT OF THE STUDENT
(continued from page 19)
my
mean
major friends
English
they
A
Eliot.
Everyone to
want
when
attend.
T.
ing soon, so
S.
own
his
choice,
I
always say. I
name
His
Robert
is
and
Frost
One
reasons
see The Subject
won
I
was because
title
Of my own
the Artists Series.
Was
the "Miss Typical
my
of
free
Roses (wasn't
will it
1
I
went
to to
terrible the
plays
in
Some
of
Johnny Mathias or
would
liven
there's
the
up the
really
Peter,
Paul
and Mary
And
Artists
Series
in
then
me and that opera guy!) Anyway, know has a good idea. She thinks we ought to have a number of Artists Series say and then require the students to six or seven least
—
three
or
four
of
them.
my
winning
of
Southern
free unrequired in
will,
title
have
I'll
traits.
Each
student could choose which ones she wanted to
20
I
Culture but
West Wing and
do
1
the
'cause
she
—
except can anyone
all,
Thanks again
I'll
try
bit of effort,
the contest.
—why
to
do
it
justice.
You know
don't
we
With
at least
the sun
I
guess
me what me to win
tell
for helping
you might have
doesn't
is
just
a
placed
shining so
cut our 2 o'clock classes
roof?!!
Mary Gompf & Barbara Garrlsson
I
at
of
West Wing
and go up on the
should
I
attend
In
about
bright
lem (remember
—
(?).
(A senior friend of mine doesn't go to
exhibits
little
down the hall who wants Can you imagine?
don't think the
Art Exhibits
my
be required, though some people disagree with guess scanty attendance would be a probme. a junior
intellectual
2:00 class so
Institute
my own
to the
— Mystlcue
my
rest
the
to
a forum is?
swingin' friends
Artists Series a bit.
quiet kid
traditional ballet, yet! I
my more
Feminine
go
that's
the future Artists Series and a few
musicals, too. think
my
have classes over there anymore.) Well,
good; maybe opera isn't do wish they would have
i
oops!
go
library.
really quite all.
—
lectures of
the
hear from the freshmen and sophomores
so boring after
more
already supplement
I
hurry over the
don't
—
was
adds
them,
in
didn't
I
almost time for
It's
I
that he
to the plays
by going to hear unrequired lectures. never miss a talk on the Masculine or is it
Femine
feelings on
I
I
go
have more contem-
I
really liked it. way the audience acted?) and a standing ovation it If anybody ever deserved didn't make it to hear Gerard was them! Souzay you know how things come up some-
times.
try to
growth
of the
Longwood"
suitemate!)
the future.
he's
good!
really
be graduat-
make it to the symposiums on Lorca and Shaw. The word "symposium" just PROMISE to do better in sounded too stuffy.
my
thing
stories?
do
I
they'd
wish
I
porary plays, though (with boys
should
be individuals, but have you ever read anyby that guy who got famous writing short
all
have time,
I
I'll
don't care what they do.
I
Jarman.
in
don't
I
we
think
a nice idea, but then
It's
When
I
influence you, 'cause
in
it
know say they like Buck Sand Burg, and Thomas Harding.
few people
Carl
Pearl,
really
Shakespeare and
prefer
they
insist
THE CREATURE Man cowered
The
his tree,
in
keeping
still
animals and, occasionally, the heavy footfalls of
surrounded by
His limbs were
the blackness of night.
so long, but he wouldn't
stiff
from
through the long hours of darkness, he had heard the tread of large animals moving about in
Once, he had been
its
At
startled
ing
who did
in
among
the trees or
the rocks,
Man
men
kept
Then the
During the middle hours of
alert.
ate the grass of
Man
He
carried
and devoured
About
forest.
the time the
began
painshot birth, and the hush of
dawn began
settle
over the life-throbbing
its
to
With
long arms and agile toes, he easily climbed
down
to
his
find
perch and, wooden club the
small
gnawing pains
He
hiding place for his prey. in
in his
the sky
tall,
in
forest
to
hand, set out
a
sheltered
the brush
and
settled
down
and buzzing
scamper
hiding place,
his
sharp teeth
When
his
hunger was
eagerly.
left
and
lay
night.
he had rested, he got to
make
began
to
clubs,
more
his
way
carefully
to a spot
fashioned
He had
hard piece of bone. hours simply
sitting
trying to fathom
birds, the chirping
of the insects, the
it
his
and hide with
those
than
of
Later on he
stones,
hitting
or
rubbing them together, or scraping them with a
and the sounds of the living creatures grew louder and more varied. The
heard the songs of the
deadly ac-
swift,
catch back to
fur
had begun playing with the
to wait
waited, the sun rose higher
of the forest
Man
with
other men, on the jagged stones.
sweet grasses grew, found a
As he
—
his feet and where he often found himself drawn, a place by the water where there were many stones. When he had first begun to go there, it had been to shape his wooden
stomach. the
animal,
the soft foliage, gazing at the blue of the
When
animal that would quell the
crept through
grove where
in
in
hunger of the
as a miracle, a
reprieve from the night's death sentence.
came
The sky, high, high above the thick leaves. warmth of the sun and the fullness of the meal in his stomach were soothing after the chill and
slow,
forest.
The Man greeted the new day
from
back
that this
night would never end, the sun
the
until
still,
he tossed aside what was
satiated,
Man had decided
It
to nibble at the grasses.
leaped
his
had resounded
throughout the
began
last,
ripped off the
a battle to the death
terribly
still,
thudding and rending of two great beasts grapin
place.
this
curacy.
the night, the other sounds had ceased, as the
pling
strain-
grove and looked about with bright eyes
satisfied at
not sleep with their nerves a-quiver and
their senses
heard what he'd been
the rustling of the small, sweet-tasting
and quivering nostrils, seeking signs of danger before it would settle down to its meal. The
heard the cries of other men, men who had chosen to sleep on the softer ground, in-
Man had stead of
—
who
animal
Man
the
last,
for,
into the
Twice, the
victim.
small
at
all.
by the swish of large wings as a bird of prey had swooped by his tree; seconds later, he'd heard the yelp of
ani-
made no sound
mals, the great-toothed cats,
All
the foliage below.
The most dangerous
a huge, furry monster.
come down.
One
of small
and
some
spent
staring
many
at them,
long as
if
secret they held.
day, as he was vigorously rubbing two (continued on page 22)
21
(contmuedfrompagoai)
THE CREATURE
had
come
flown out from between them and had fallen to
when show
stones together, a bright thing,
the rocks.
summon
the easier
the
among
it
became
star
little
had
make
to
it
A
strange
afraid, but intrigued as well.
to
away
run
He'd drawn back.
him.
bitten
He had decided
covered that when he was near the
way he did when
smell,
and
like
had
He had
dis-
he
it,
the sun was shining. his
learned that
it
ail
it
to eat
large,
There
beaten
it
to
his
it,
so that
it
Man reached
of the stones, he eagerly
and twigs
for the
little
among
he had played with
it
began
to pile
so
much
having
faster until,
would gradually
it
and a
thin,
a
fast,
Today he
as he
mystery
but he
lay
had stared there,
could
and stared
at
at the stones.
but
he
couldn't
its
its
to
feel
When
sleepy.
the
meal and disappeared, he
traces with dirt
and found a place
He slept most of the afternoon, and when he woke up, he was hungry again. By the time he had stalked his game, caught it and devoured it, the sun was beginning its slow descent. The Man knew
club.
but he couldn't
little
had be-
dark.
22
was
Man was amazed
Nor did
little
the
would come,
returning to the place of the
By the time he was able to
area around the
nov/,
that darkness soon
resist
creature, the forest
but the
up leaves
that he
is
to eat slowly, hesi-
the rocks where he could safely take a
stones.
By
its
nap.
it
the place
creature to eat.
devour
it.
covered
couldn't escape.
That day, when the
much
The Man began
After that, he had always built a fence of stones
around
it
went so
it
creature finished
Frightened,
death with
was
unravel
would never
and had begun to run away.
Man had
where
the creature
would always disappear. Once, when the leaves and twigs had lain on dry grass, instead of among the rocks, the creature had grown alarmingly the
Instead,
never find a trace.
to the
and that when they were gone,
it
does, quickly at
then slower and slower as his appetite
discover
leap up unless there were twigs and dry leaves for
man
gray stream that curled upward. He had looked through the surrounding bushes many times to
place of the stones to seek the orange-clawed
He had
summoned
he
shrink away, leaving warmth, a smell
It's
where the creature had been were the strange, black remains of the twigs and a hot gray dust.
creature.
a choice
like
it,
side to watch
his
did not eat as a
began tantly, then went faster and consumed most of its meal,
and twigs that lay among the stones, it had disappeared. The Man had looked all over for it, but all he had been able to find
Again and again, the Man had gone
It
appeased.
nose
After the creature had eaten
men, but hid
creature with a pair of smooth stones
little
first,
leaves
the
of
to other
meal.
warm
felt
it
and sprawled on
not
It
it.
no other creature's, prickled
his throat.
the
Man had been
to touch
instead,
but,
and missed it sometimes He was careful not to
it,
wasn't with him.
After he had built the fence,
day,
dry leaves
creature with
little
orange claws had leapt up. The
attached to it
piece of meat.
tried,
One
fly out.
fallen into a pile of
the stones.
times to
The more often he
star.
little
star,
many
After that, he had tried
the
a
liice
full
summon
the
of gray shadows,
to discover that the
creature was not growing
chill
that always
came
with
the setting of the sun penetrate the air about
The creature began
to flicker
sticky black dust.
it.
and the Man ran
When it was over, the Other Man, blackened and burned, but still stubbornly alive, had begun dragging himself through the forest, searching for something to eat. He'd clawed roots and dead
more leaves to feed it. He couldn't understand it. Here was the dreaded time of
quickly to get
night-death; a starless, moonless night, at that,
and
all
about him, the
forest
was
black,
prowling night hunters; yet
with
his
and
held the light and warmth of sun-time and,
though he was
insects and crawling things out of the devastated ground and, sometimes, he'd found a weakened animal that he'd been able to kill. He'd always
alive circle
little
al-
approaching
alert for the signs of
had
danger, none came.
Meanwhile, others this
smell
it,
and see
the forest were aware of
in
strange presence
in
their midst
flashes of
its
—they
could
Most
of the
light.
forest creatures, frightened, stayed in their
traces This
Other
and
virile.
Man was The
smell
but
it
clouds and
little
hulks
and
that
hot red balls.
that he'd
wanted
to
day, he had
come
to a
wide
river.
He'd
then filled with a
first,
edge
of the water, the
black nightmare had ended!
On
the other side were trees, not blackened
hulks,
but green, leafy trees and lush ferns and
as
with
it
foliage.
it
sensitive
by the
Other
Man
could detect, from across the water, the songs
and the whisper of insects and the rustle and tramp and cry of other living things. At once, the Other Man crossed the river and hurled himof birds
self into
the old
life
—hunting
ferociously, eating
voraciously, mating vigorously.
The black
night-
mare had faded in his mind until it was as if never been. Even when he first smelled it had the strange, yet familiar, scent and set out to find its source, he did not exactly remember. Meanwhile, the Man sat nodding by his warm friend. He did not hear the Other Man, who
grew, the
When
With hearing made
silence of the black nightmare, the
the trees, and
had gone away, leaving
faded away, the
weak
doggedly, he had forced
a
him,
the animals and birds and men. it
but,
wild exultation for at the
it.
the green, growing things, as well as most of
finished,
so
felt
in his tracks,
One
and stirred him to a strange, ferocious anger. The Other Man had not always roamed in this part of the forest, but had come from beyond the river. One. hot afternoon, a monster had risen from a leaf-piled thicket, deep in the middle of his forest. This monster had been like no animal he had ever seen. It had had bright orange claws and a throat-clutching smell. It had grown to
all
Sometimes, he'd
stopped, unbelieving at
its
too,
immense proportions, consuming, leaves and bark and branches of
large animals,
tantalized him,
frightened fear,
for the
place.
big and bloodthirsty, brave
deep, half-remembered
guard
himself to push on until he'd found a safe hiding
or slipped further But
his
too, but frantic with hunger.
drop
lairs,
away into the woods. one man who smelled its smell and saw took up his club and set out to stalk
be on
to
who were weakened
had
black, smelly
After these had
was a nightmare of black had been trees and a strange,
crept from tree to tree, picking
forest
fully
on the dark floor of the
his
steps care-
forest.
(continued on page 24)
23
THE CREATURE
When
the Other
through the his
(continued from page 23)
Man saw
he
trees,
felt
the flicker of light
a sudden tautening of
nerves and a fierce pounding
As soon
as he
saw the orange
in
his
chest.
claws, he recog-
nized the monster of the black nightmare!
With a scream of rage, he fell upon the Man and his creature, pounding them both with his heavy wooden club in a frenzy of maniacal fury. The Man, caught by surprise, grappled frantically to save himself and his creature, but the Other Man was stronger and wilder. Long after the Man and his creature both were dead, the dreadful sounds resounded through the hushed forest.
At
last,
trembling
violently,
the
Man and
his
monster.
Man
Other
the
stopped, and bent to examine what was
Where
left
of
the creature
had been, he found no dead, meat bearing
ani-
mal, but only the strange dust of the black night-
mare. With a shudder, he jumped up and darted
away among the trees, leaving the devastated body of the Man curled protectively about the remains of
The
his little friend.
forest
was
silent
—and
utterly black.
Helen Pecht
24
We Three
I
am
sitting
here dearest,
and you don't know what
I
am
thinking of
even though you are a part of it. You are in your v/orld today, and I
am
in
mine.
Together we may have made Stirring I
am
and
A
deep
in
thinking of this
life
of thick tears that
I
and
life
of ours,
will cry.
same song
radio plays here, and the
for you, in
a
me;
plays
your world today.
The same sun
is over you on and tonight the same night
That surrounds
me and
the
this will
life
deep day
for
me,
surround you
we may have
created. But you I
know
not
my
cannot know your
pain, and, on the other hand, joy.
Freda Richards
25
roads are
All of these stupid, stupid
"Amen," she said, out loud. Amen, amen, mean it's true and sad or true and happy? Hell, what's the difference, what's the
alike.
all
amen. But do
You would go anywhere in the United States and you'd see the same houses, trees, and cars. Oh well, that's
life.
.
.
What's
.
make
it.
I
can't believe that
something that
and the
am
Just because
hell.
for a long time.
!
is
quit college
what
down
to
stay here a
I'll
play a record once *
eating
in
in
*
know one
a
this
good
a
9 o'clock.
"Could you "Right
It's
—
yet for
I
1
No.
3
and
—unpack,
"And now
ice.
—
No. 2
— buy
take a shower
gone
cool
me where
and wash my
— Baby
Belted out the singer on the radio.
many
a
little
Friday morning
the
employment
Shirl
your right,"
to
yawning.
It
get the
I
in
this
hair.
an-
was too early
customers.
damn
job.
lousy city.
"Won't you
1
need
to
hope meet some people I
*****
sit
down," said Mr. Owen.
"Thank you," said thanks
and
there
salesgirl,
a newspaper.
*****
you're
clear,
This place looks like a decent store.
1
1
after
tell
down
swered the
be O.K. when
cheap but good meal, like tonight. But every meal forget it. Now, what am going to do when leave? No. go buy some gin and juice
May Co.
into the
office is?"
feel like a
orange
for
car,
was a
It
go somewhere nearby
She had eaten, parked her
late winter.
in
I'm not going to
place every meal.
at 8 to
breakfast.
and was walking
week or a year,
*
*
*
Chevy
into her
a while.
thing.
got up at 7 o'clock and was getting
Shirl Elliot
and got a
I
I
Oh man
Elliot.
got to get right to sleep
I've
rationalize myself
I
irrational, but
makes no difference. Just as long as stay happy. Damn it man, why don't you shut your trap and
Well,
good.
feels
the
swear I'm staying away from routines
I
Stop being so analytical,
bed
and get up early and go see Mr. Somebody at May Co. on Fayette St., or was it Lafayette.
I'd
actually doing
job and bought a car and settled routine.
this
want to do without stopping
I
This whole thing
it.
sweat?
a cereal
never thought
I
I
is
Columbus
joke.
thinking for so long that
out of
Life
life?
and a magazine, ha. ha. Big 15 more miles. Almost there.
I
Shirl.
"Well, I've got your application here and
alot."
stopped
that
I
can say
you working
rolling her hair.
26
is
that
for us.
we'd certainly
But
I
would
like to
like to
all
have
know why
you quit your job you to Columbus
New
in
The whole damn
York and what brings
to apply for a job as a sales-
girl."
"Truthfully, city.
was
I
wanted
I
tired of the rush-rush in the
go someplace
to get away,
for I'll
The
lying.
a
hire
girl
you were him, you you knew she planned
need the money and
but one that's said
1
I've
got a purpose
important to an
not
swear sometimes
made
I
already.
Mr. Owen.
I'll
I
*****
When
—
Crap
I'm crazy.
think I
Half of
"To whom 1
*****
I
.
I
fault If
through the paper she'd
just
gotten
—
I
could've
made
slipping on by.
from the motel office and called a moviehouse. out
pulled on a
that skirt,
it
wasn't
combed
too
off as she
it
myself.
(no one) find I
someday but
it
thought
far
her hair,
away,
just
couldn't take
a few things would've
about themselves
Shirl leafed
it.
I'd
I
just
to
let
it.
been
Everybody's
— ready
world away instead of
she
leave
But
of
different,
just thinking
the world
go
decided
I'd
throw
my
letting
gradually
slip
it
away."
grabbed her
Joyce Albro
coat and purse and headed for her car. Traffic
may concern maybe could
it
just fooling
my
course
night.
Finding
thought
was
It's
does that song go? Saturday night and got nobody. Yeah. Except it's Friday .
most of
here and go on looking but what's the use.
How
.
slept
body they could The place reaked
a note.
feel like
I
ain't
had
of liquor but she left
Half!
they discovered her
see her half-packed suitcase.
see
moving on make some sense. You've got to
before!
—
yourself, yourself. ...
stay here for awhile.
I
making
—
that far from the truth.
isn't
you Monday morning." I
lay on the floor, the drink
I
employer.
I'll
"Thank you very much,
what
and hit her head on the dresser make her way to the bathroom.
I
be truthful, too. We need help badly, and I'm happy to give you a job. Report to me at 9 Monday and I'll show you some things you have to know before you can go out on the floor. Oh, and we'll pay you $50 a week." "Well,
*****
"Damn that guy was good-looking, damn, should da followed him when he damn, damn. went for popcorn. That dumb broad is lucky what am huh nothing. Everybody else in this assed backward world is lucky. Shut up, just shut up. You can't do that you've decided again and again. You're not hurting anybody but
If if
on moving on as soon as things get settled and
What
girls'll
hate 'em.
a puddle on the rug.
sweat
I
I
ugly people.
now
glass
out driving around to-
—wonder how many
Ugly, ugly Busstation.
as she tried to
University."
routine.
tonight.
it
Shirl Elliot fell
I
Don't
lose
Full of ugly,
I
wouldn't
All these dates
dif-
want to stay here and catch my breath. figure that working as a salesgirl awhile and have time to take some courses at the
ferent,
city's
night.
was heavy.
27
At
point
this
Sweet,
hope you know it's over. was good and You were your usual self, I
Last night
Which have learned You taught me well. I
Thanks to you
I
will
to hate.
be able
to
Make expert love with a Minimum of emotion. But come now, let's not drag The corpse I
to the
dance.
remember you
will
Sweet,
And you For
can't forget
me
either,
was love and un-love
I
And early mornings in the drowsy sun And nights in a cool bed. And was silk and steel to you, And what In the hell did you ever do for me? I
Freda Richards
28
A
The creak Mr.
of
A
afternoon heat.
through
curdled
porch
AND THREAD
worn planks
of the rocker across the
Whitler's
NEEDLE
use doing things
the
me
hiere, let
spat of tobacco stenched the
can do
"I
just for
learn
done
I've
it.
the sake of shov/ing off.
you how." it
lots
times
of
for
granny."
air.
Mr. Whitler haunched forward, squinted one eye, and
made
a
determined
thrust of
grey thread
in
towards a slender needle. "Drats!"
he muttered,
towards the needle.
"missed the dad-burn
Stand away, you're
"Mr. Whitier," a shy voice called from the
"Eh?" you
are
doing?"
Emily
"Eh?
cautiously
"Trying to sew, that's what."
"Little girl, don't
you have things
and
Simply
swiftly
her
She beamed "Hump," he grumbled "There."
to tend to at
do
it
like
showed
1
pink,
fingers
firm
eagerly. as he jerked the thread
out of the needle.
"No."
"You
Silence followed as Mr. Whitier stabbed at the a
needle.
What makes you
think so, huh.
it
"Go
—
it
sick,
for
old
she-goats,
can't
me
try.
I'll
it's
show you
all,
I
sew with like
that?
Think you
eh?"
on,
get home.
Got no
use
for
crying
She turned and ran down the steps. "Bah, women!" the old man barked as he made
do
anything for theirselves."
"Well now,
can
here."
granny."
feeble,
How
tangled up with thread
Emily blinked back a drooping tear.
so
sure?"
done
all
use trying to show you anything.
know
can do that."
"Eh? You
didn't listen, huh?
needle
No
"Drats!"
"Let
but
right,
threaded the defiant needle.
home?"
"Bah
all
Never could
light.
around."
"Ok."
Mr. Whitier spat
wad of tobacco juice over the railing. "Why?" She peered over his shoulder.
another
"I've
Well,
my
all
you."
climbed the steps.
"I
in
women hanging "Let me try."
stand
of the steps.
"What
past the eye.
slid
It
"See, that's what comes from being bothered
hole agin'."
bottom
"Old women don't care how you do it, always such a rush and hurry. Now watch." The old man slowly aimed his frayed thread
I
can do
got to be done
another useless lunge at the needle. it."
just right.
Chris Dixon
No
29
Many Thousand Gone Many Thousand Gone. York:
By Ronald
Harcourt, Brace & World,
L.
New
Fair.
ville
Many Thousand Gone fable, the first published
who
is
Negro
in
Chicago. The book takes
writer
Negro
modern American
a
book
a
Ronald
of
has spent most of its
title
spirituals, a
hope
acter portrayals
Fair,
L.
years
his
tween the
do most
for better
In
abashedly honest,
this
little
book
expression of concern over a his
perience
is
plight
makes
people today, more than a hundred years
and
In
so
in
a
highly
imaginary
the imaginary county of Jacobs,
Somehow the have managed
white
oppressors
of
Mr.
Mississippi. this
to maintain continual slavery
The
tale
simplicity
climax
Is
is
is
of
For such
staid
The approach
conclusion clearly
wholly
devastating.
and simply established
ning of the work, and without Fair acquaints us with the
The at the
much
Negroes
make
Is
very beginfurther
of the
and
valid
ado
Jacobs-
31
for
the
our own United States.
book Many Thousand Gone
What
human being when faith
Is
some
Is
his
suppressed?
Interesting
and can-
literary faults. Phyllis
the
situation
small
struc-
not as simply or sharply
In this fable, in
a
for a taut,
of events.
real
is if
not be Ignored, despite
on the surface, the Intent
of the author evidently being to thus
development
exist,
his
this
overdramatlzed,
slightly
if
basic dignity, pride, and The author's supposition Is
the
to
inex-
also
somewhat under-
Is
be commended
concern
the
white
relative
and
world
provokes much thought on the subject.
related by use of an almost stark
totally
in
their
on the whole, effectively
the natural reaction of the
graphic and frankly appalling.
language.
Fair's
defined as
even
modern days by totally and utterly Isolating their Negroes from the outside world. The question posed Is what will happen when the submerged hope, pride, and dignity of the dark-skinned slaves is aroused by the Inevitable breakdown of total isolation. It does happen, and the reaction of the warmly drawn Individuals such as Granny Jacobs, Preacher Harris, and to
Jesse Black
to
is
problem does
county
story,
point even
its
Fair
turally logical
set
tale
The
standable.
of
later.
He does
of
author's
publishing
the
In
of the
extreme character coloring
the author's
parallel
light
in
Negroes
evil
personal intensity of feeling on the subject,
manner, perhaps abruptly, yet un-
a
yet,
fault;
days without the "auction block" and "driver's
of the
almost be considered a
This could
oppressors.
of
char-
his
the uncompromising line be-
and the unspeakable
story
days
Is
goodness
utter
Yet
Jacobsville."
In
Immediately notable about
the thing
from a mov-
spiritual that expresses, as
our American
lash."
They are portrayed warmly, Old Granny Jacobs, he says, had the
"the best baby-bouncing lap
pp. $3.50.
ing
a review
community.
humanly.
114
1965.
Inc.,
^
Myers
PORTRAIT I.
Bart Hamilfon
white," was one of Bart Hannllton's oft-repeated
James hiawkins was his ideal of a "good nigger." In fact he couldn't think of many white men he thought more of than old James, remarks; and
It
didn't
or,
James had
the quiet sort of dignity you
colored man.
he walked, touch of
In
liked
Yet there was always,
a
the
conversation
members who favored
Isabel
way
had been back home
ever since Mama's funeral.
asked her to do
were going
feel
It.
to see
if
him
to
tending bar Saturday nights at the Country Club. If he had any problems, Bart always intervened to
smooth them out
Bart had,
in
for him.
Baltimore and
in
Since Joe had died, she
farm.
to look after, so she
of the others
Mama,
like
was
was
like
her Papa.
ing,
you could
house feel
and
sit
out
In
straight,
the
life.
a
summer's even-
front of the
the kitchen of James' rather dour wife, Lucy,
happy
the big house.
try
32
there.
to get a
Mama
field,
had
tenant
little
honeysuckle
almost their
in
you could
see the Hamilton house, white and solid. darkness.
and
pushy
She'd loved growing
On
green rows. Across the
gathering
free
would have
and the green tobacco leaves growing smell
really
who was
children
six
Not that any They were
it.
Isabel
regretfully,
in
so she'd quit her job
up on the Hamilton farm.
Bart
had
do
anyway.
put the place up for sale. was growing up, he'd tied tobacco leaves with James and his brood, gone fishing and hunting with them, and eaten as many meals as he
shirt,
ambitious, contemptuous of the country
James was born on the Hamilton family's farm, as were two or three generations of his ancestors. He'd stayed on until Bart's father had died and
When
years now,
for five
Papa hadn't exactly
but he'd hinted mighty hard,
it,
the only one of the
things
well with the job he'd gotten for
more
a younger,
and she knew how he loved a good meal and a
come back to the had only Howard
checked with James
in
club
Isabel
II.
a
clean
about
hiring
country
the
of
glasses clean, but dammit, he knows his place."
a willing servility that no
Bart always
his family.
"James is a little bit slower than some of these young bucks, and he might not always wash the
although the frequent flashes
one could possibly
some
with
of white teeth, the relaxed chuckle. Indicated such
guilty
think
as a point of honor to
efficient bartender.
the slight stoop to his shoulders, a
servility,
even
matter,
that it
had about summed the whole thing up
Bart
dignity,
to see in in
for
Bart's
one certainly
relationship
always look out for James and
and offer him advice which he oc-
times,
discuss
was a
about, except to take
more relaxing than spending an hour or two of a Sunday evening on the front porch of the good, but modest house James had built on the land Bart's father had left him, discussing crops, common acquaintances and the like. James would politely disagree with Bart at
Uncle Samuel Hamilton, was
of old
second cousin.
hie found nothing
casionally found worthwhile.
point of fact, James, a coffee-colored edi-
In
tion
have a good nigger than a sorry
"I'd rather
never
In
the
been
She'd always been after Papa to job
in
town, or
move
to the city.
Papa never paid her
a bit of attention.
He was
doing what he wanted to do, and that was
The other children said (although not
Papa was narrow-minded and Isabel knew that it was partly true,
that
own desires first and he one way of doing things. put
his
Papa didn't even
try
his
beloved Baltimore
Papa had no understanding advantages Howard had been deprived that she could
come back and
Not
could blame that on
hadn't
she
made
come
her
for
He
the
might as well admit Isabel
Papa than
Howard
have borne
the family
—an
Uncle
was
that he
city
he loved.
hayseeds,
Tom
Howard
But the thing
The
kids
the teachers
It
Howard
up
felt
as
if
Fn
a
In
was the
"And
were hopelessly behind
he were
a
could
Even here.
back.
to strike
last
night of revival,
Jones was giving the windup
here were a bunch of
Nobody
turn
I'm
from
tellin'
your
all
you one
sinful
and Reverend
he had.
thing,
ways
right
if
you don't
here
tonight,
tomorrow might be too late. Tomorrow, the Lord might close that book and if your name
cage and
ain't in
Papa was the keeper, and sometimes he woke
Big
Howard
James, Himself
IV.
of his leaving the
was going anyplace and, worse than that, most of them didn't even know there was anyplace to go.
beneath
hostility
that
him.
of the worst kind.
the times, and the school was a rathole.
way
so
Papa couldn't act like a man. To Howard, Big Papa was the symbol of the emasculation of his race. No wonder he hated
held against him most
was the Instrument
constant
a
politeness,
of
Big
sancti-
obsequious, proud of whose name he should
hypocritical,
scraps from
But no, he had to needle him with
never find any
He was
Papa.
Big
the car or the hours he kept.
to
remarks,
veneer III.
monious,
way he drove
snide
just a little.
Howard hated
just short of a sneer.
him openly. like
stooped over,
little
be the very opposite of what Big Papa thought a young man should be. It would have been better if Big Papa had taken after
it.
reckoned she was more
the education he could get.
all
took long, slow strides with shoulders
He seemed
come home, Howard
to
Howard
in
so
seml-llterate,
Papa was always picking at Howard about something. He didn't like Howard's friends, or
and had taken the first chance or no Howard, and she
tired of the city,
Mama'd
he finished
Big
take care of him.
Papa.
was
Papa shuffled along, a
manner,
so
She had been plain
back.
until
held back. Big Papa dropped his bossy ways when he got around white people and was all smiles and "yassuhs." Howard assumed an aloof
be-
of the of
year ago, but
Papa
Big
Howard wanted Big
so
resentful
a
he'd hold on
if
Washington.
hie always
"the sticks."
that
and
didn't see but
still
that
high school, she'd help him pay for college
to his face) selfish,
understand Howard,
to
seventeen years old now, and
cause he'd had to leave
He'd have run away promised
that.
it,
it
ain't a-goin' in."
Eyeballs shone white, faces dripped with pers-
the night, sweating, for fear he'd never get
piration,
and
it
was more than
canvas-enclosed heat.
out.
But
just
the clammy,
James Hawkins
just
(continued on page 34)
33
PORTRAIT
couldn't find
(continued from page 33)
in
it
his
hadn't led a perfect
now and
nip of whiskey visited
heart to be fearful. life,
was
it
true.
He
Oh, he fooic a
then and, years ago, he'd
Annie Racey a few times when Lucy'd
take on a cantankerous spell, but
when all was and done, he didn't reckon there was a man the community who'd done any better.
said in
He'd always worked hard, and never stolen or He'd raised his children the best way he knew how, and tried not to think too hard of them for leaving him to tend the farm gotten into brawls.
all alone in his old age. He'd taken in his widowed daughter and her son and, although Isabel was a fine woman, the Lord knew that
son of hers was a
trial.
He'd stayed on with old Mr. Hamilton and Bart when Lucy'd done her best to make him leave, because he'd known they'd take care of him, and they had. He'd been
a
deacon
years and gave a
good
In
the church for fifteen
morning and always paid a was sick or had passed away. of the colored
Sunday when anybody He had the respect
offering every call
people and the approval of the
whites.
The congregation began to sing the invitation Proudly and confidently, James went forward to receive the blessings of the preacher. hymn.
^\ v\
Helen Pecht
f^^ 34
'-%^^
How "How
Dainty Are The Daffodills
dainty are the daffodills
That dot the verdant dingle,
While
daisies
dance
In
"With shadows do they
"How
Who
ivory
frills."
nnlngle."
cheery sounds the chickadee
down in the haven. Why, Gordon, growing gray are "
creeps
ye."
Tis the cackle of a raven."
"How blue and blithe the salty sea. How white the crashing billows. Oh sallow Gordon, speak to me." "How wan the weeping willows." "The made
land's warbling
seabound
gull
Smirks 'or the swelling surges.
How comes "He moans
It
that
the
your brow turns dull?"
morbid dirges." Elizabeth Uhler
60tie WiH'ÂŤTns
Regrets Seule, je pense
Quand Et
D'ici
la
la
de ma jeunesse, vie etalt gaie
I'amour m'a cherche.'
dans
ma
vielllesse,
Mes vides jours s'en vont Et mon coeur est fende.
vite
Pat Gillette
Um
ich habe Mensch das hochste
sagen zu konnen:
gelebt, muss ein
Gluck und den Hefsten Schmerz kennen-gelern+haben. Paige Mitchell
36
Facing the crowd of black forbidding faces
saw myself laid out upon the table Etherized and stupified As nny Being was slowly dissected I
Cut
into
fragmentary particles
That apart equalled Nothingness was scrutinized by microscopic I
eyes That as they stared into the darkness
Could not But
I
resist
being drawn
in
squirmed and flinched under
gaze Jerked to avoid their cuts their
And when they were finished Not understanding what they found
What they really didn't want to know They thought they could make me better than whole again But their questioning knives Left a
cobweb
of scars
over
my Soul.
Barbara Melton
37
THE CLOVER RING Emily kicked the ground into billows of dust as she skipped
down
house to Mr. Whitier's.
It
was a
Her
hot, sticky July
brown
short
sticking through the
lop-sided about her round,
squinted up at the sun. old
man.
bath?" tention.
wonder
I
A
clump
if
freckled
"Mama
"Mr. Whitier?"
hung
pigtails
he really never takes a her
stemmed flowers. Her short, neatlyclipped thumb nail slit each stem. She laced doesn't
have
a
any
scratched her knee.
chain,
"hie'll
flowers It
like
yard."
his
in
this.
didn't hurt anymore.
lot.
Splashes of red
"Eh?"
He
when she washes my
hair."
if
I
A
his
Emily stood
"Well,
rocking chair.
still
Her
made
A
faint twinkle
Emily scampered
across
green paint.
In
the his
can't
do
What do you when they
gifts
his
and
chores without
silent.
child.
What's
sad, hopeful voice
"I
Emily could see
bringing
that
behind
pushed out the
words,
stood
their
Man
speak up
unique
roof,
come
Emily held the purple flower chain up to Mr. Whitier.
it
for
you."
came
into
Mr. Whitier's small
brown eyes. An uncomfortable urge to smile tugged around his mouth. But habit had chiseled a determined frown around his jaws. "Eh? Well now, don't rightly know what to do
overgrown with brown, withered
weather worn of shadows of the porch
front of
your back?"
crab grass. Her feet threaded over the splintered steps,
In
someone bothering him."
a
It
yellowed undershirt
frayed,
use for presents.
Folks only
want something.
bee buzzed
community, imposing
the dusty
brought you a present."
"I
Got no
"Eh?
A sugary scent choked the The bee buzzed away towards a fence camouflaged by yellow honey suckle.
the cobble stones
his
In
wirey form,
want?
don't cry
Mr. Whitier's house came into view.
beyond
Emily shyly stood twitching
"HI,"
glinted
red-checked smock.
stillness.
gruff answer from
Mr. Whitier
air.
old-fashioned
A
and grey baggy pants spotted with years of grease, paint, and dirt, stood In the doorway.
around her sun-burnt neck. She shook her head and ran. The bee hovered around her faded
isolated from the
and
She
She dropped the
loop of clover over her head.
out,
Impatience
of
Her
The bright red nail polish v/as almost gone. Streaked dashes were all that remained of Emily's painted toe nails. "Mama would paint them again
tone
dankness brought a secret smile to Emily's face.
through the green blades.
said she
A
worry entered her voice.
bare, dusty feet walked through the high grass, across the vacant
It
"Mr. Whitier!"
only the thick
into
cotton
Whitier?"
hands around her mouth she called
at-
She squatted over the patch, picking
the flowers
balls of dirty
punched out screen. Her nose and palms pressed
She couldn't see anything was dark inside. She turned and scanned the wide, empty yard. Funneling her "Mr.
moving.
says he's a nasty
of purple clover stole
peered through the
against the rusty wires.
She
face.
She
disturbed.
screened door between the
afternoon and the hairs along her neck were wet with perspiration.
been
not
the path leading from her
I
with
The sagging purple cushion had
it."
"You can wear
38
It.
Like the
Ha
.
.
.
Hawo
.
.
Hawaaa
." .
she stammered and blushed to a
.
stop.
"Like them grass-skirted belly-dancers?
Emily put her hand up to her mouth,
She
giggle.
liked
Eh?"
stifling a
Mr. Whitier.
The screen door slammed behind him. shuffled chair.
woolen slippers
his
in
He
sank into
hie
rocking
the
to
comforting confines.
its
His
boney, tanned fingers trembled as they passed over the smooth
scrapped
off
arms of the traces of
all
chair.
Use had
varnish.
its
Emily followed him across the porch, dangling
She cautiously spoke,
the purple loop before her.
"Can
put
I
on you?"
it
"Like a dad-burn belly dancer, that you are,
paddin'
She prized
your bare feet carrying flowers about."
in
He
gift.
She didn't the air
She
neared
timidly
like
it,
especially
tried to stand very
man
with
brown
that
like
when he spat
worn out piece
a
like
old
the
smelled
still,
of
her
juice. It
into
chewing gum.
so that he wouldn't
get angry with her. But her knee Itched. She bent
over to scratch the large brov/n crusty scab
sur-
rounded by traces of grey adhesive. The morning band-aid had long since fallen off her stocky knee.
As she bent but yet.
." .
"She smells
Years of prejudice
.
uncomfortable around
young
girl
man gazed
the old
over the small figure.
this
He
mustered
a babe,
made him
miniature
offering flowers stirred
uneasy feeling.
thoughtfully like
feel
woman. The up a strange,
to retain his
abrupt
indifference.
"Dad-burn bald head. in
it,
put the
weed
on," he bent
his
Stray wisps of thin grey hair parted
uncombed
directions. (continued on page 40)
39
THE CLOVER RING
(continued from page 39)
Emily gingerly raised the flowers over
his
head.
"EMILY!" She
one
dropping the chain.
startled,
ear.
Mr. Whitier
sat,
fell
It
over
reflecting the picture
of a ludicrous circus clown.
"EMILY! GET
HOME." A
could be discerned
heavy
short,
woman
the vacant lot adjoining
In
Mr. Whitier's yard.
Emily's
stared at the figure.
It
was
large,
brown eyes
Mama
and she was
mad. "Bye, Mr. Whitier." ing steps
Mr. Whitier his chest.
Emily ran
and across the sat.
He
down
the creak-
field. let
the flowers
fall
about
His eyes moistened.
"Dad-burn tend."
He
tossing
It
It,"
he muttered," got chores to
ripped the clover chain from
high Into the
air.
It
fell
his neck,
Into the yard,
encircling a scavaging bee.
Chris Dixon
L'amour II
sourit et
mon coeur
est gai.
que l'amour est vrai. Mes amis se moquent de ma jole Mais dans lul je mets toute ma fol. 'I me fait heureuse tous mes jours.
Je
suis sur
Je
serai
avec
lul
pour toujours. Pat Gillette
40
The The
train
young
girl
Train
jogged along af a clipped pace. The and the old lady were sitting opposite
each other, the older oblivious of the younger.
The young
had
girl
contemptuous look on her
a
her eyes staring at the traveller opposite
face,
Old! Senile! Dead! The younger Fingernails
that
yellow, dead,
no
girl
grow;
longer
Hands
lap.
The
girl
looked away
in
in
The
now being served
the
in
The
The
girl
eyed the old
—
traveller,
just
it
window,
farther letting
pointed an
away,
then
the light
arthritic
her
She looked
pulled out a timetable.
fall
woman was
leaned
pretended to Ignore the old woman.
Stupid!
Even when someone does reach
forgets.
Her mind
doesn't appeal to
Of course can't
—DOORKNOBS!! In
to her.
old
is
DEAD,
gone,
don't want anything to eat, anyway.
"I
her face re-
Old and deaf! Ears knobs on the sides of her head Deaf!
The old woman reached
in
the
She can't
to reach the
GONE!
now being served!"
that cannot hear
held
girl
she
her,
'
flecting her thoughts.
back;
blurs.
— unable
us."
tell
diner,
didn't hear you! Is
pulled
girl
Senile!
"DINNER
shapes,
box
arm to attract her attention. "Do you know when they'll serve dinner?" Somebody should have come by and
ma'm." I
a
leaning close to her, poking her
The conductor came through announcing dinThe old lady grabbed at his coat. "What did you say?"
"Huh?
in
outside, the outside can't get
her
disgust as the old
ner.
Is
trying to
thought the traveller op-
blind
Colors, forms,
She's almost
see!
lady tried to unbutton her coat.
"Dinner
almost
She's posite.
with fingers that
cannot hold anything, only lay knotted
She
printing.
read the paper.
thick,
shows; dry,
The old woman already has
foot in the grave.
of
line
dropped her hand and gave up
finally
thought.
hard,
hiair so thin the scalp
grey, frizzled, dead!
one
keep her eye on one
to
her.
it
closely,
toward the
on the paper.
finger at the paper,
not, stupid!
anything!
Food
any more."
When
you get
They could
old,
give
you you
garbage and you'd never know. You old fool. Senile, stupid, dead, why don't you just crawl in a hole somewhere? Crawl in a hole while you can still make It by yourself. You're dead anyway. The only difference between you and a corpse is
pocket and at
TASTE
me
She
trying
you're
The
still
breathing.
You're
DEAD!
The younger girl hurried to another seat. The porter approached the old lady, explaining loudly and laborously that dinner was now being served in the diner. train slowed.
Ida
41
Maye Simmons
—
Dear Rus
read something interesting that
I
might
like.
found
I
thought you
I
Mark Schorer says, "Truth, beauty, exhlow to passion and wisdom. them? There is only one way, and that is
and
in
find
.
.
truth,
.
suppose the reason
I
seems
it
to
me
be
crux of man's existence
me
interested
it
to
—he
so
much
up
strives to
know
Hie does not look
truth
is
he
around
goes others
even
them
find
to
likely
is
himself.
they
to those things for
through— he copies
seems
others,
— and
of
set
himself
on
own
which
he
is
of person
find
is
Is
with
willing
to
stand
— when he
I
is
his
of
someone
own dreams in
realized,
dreaming. Wisdom,
man is
un-
find
will
searches,
will
come
able to stand behind
them
— when his
he
own
he cannot agree with them himable to
make judgments between
way almighty smug in
— and
to
seems to me that mankind go" and, yet, he is so
his
assurance that he has ar-
don't know, Rus,
"has a
in
rived.
—
long
That,
I
think,
It
—
is
what bothers
—
about people our age
me
their parents
parents are bad enough, but,
think.
when one has acquired his values himself through his own hard work, he is less For it one likely to compromise to give in. fights diligently for something and wins It, he Is and when one becomes loath to give it up easily I
individual
cannot accept.
own
those principles
man
a
if
what things he can accept, and what things he
once finding them, he must constantly re-evaluate He must question and he himself and his beliefs must
An
seeing
beliefs although
— what — He
his
more eloquent
able to accept another man's right to
self
for living
—
his beliefs
Only
lives.
principles without defending
his
he
himself that is
find
more than a copy
upon him slowly when he
before he can value
reason
his
kind
is
achievements.
the final thing for which
individual
must find out who he
—what values — he must is
for excellence
learn passion
He
his
—
will
he can value.
purpose
truly
and he
in
lives
he has
an individual can he aspire to excellence
is
Few people,
— an
—when
which remind him constantly
by which he
strives.
must be something
must be
things
in
himself, there
his
— those
joy
Before he can value anything else,
has to value himself
man
will
limited
person
he must be a
And where
him the key
which he
when he
himself
in
find
will
passion and wis-
standards he has set
give
will
to
himself.
find truth
of
set
through those
is
he has faced himself and knows that he
right.
else's
me, ever realize that before one can acquire any of those traits which he admires in it
will
the
of the values
he
Instead,
to
self
he admires and those he does not
thinking
like
—
than
rather
— those —
the
own
his it
beauty than that with which he surrounds him-
one place where
in
think, that
beauty, excellence, joy,
— when
and beauty and excellence and joy and passion and wisdom, and yet he searches in all the wrong places.
I
stood against the odds and fought for
is
up with the whole
tied
with
individual
will find,
dom. He
through the cultivation of a true individuality."
that
— an
values and his loyalty to them that he
it
cellence, joy,
person
a
values, he
the foreward to Babbitt,
in
it
the most
and grand-
God, how are we
ever going to better ourselves, create a better
believe that
world,
—
—
right
—
if
we
that the
way.
are sure at twenty that
way
It
How
we
are perfect
has always been done
is
the
we ever progress
If
we
will
aren't willing to evaluate
and question and think? Susan
42
am
I
unveiled before you
knowingly willingly
Wifh laughter upon anguish
With love torment
A
nny lips
my eyes in my heart in my soul
in
passionate being chaotic volcanic
I
scream not with pain
but with regret
Linda Dyer
43
path of sun path of sun long to follow
i
59 chevy laundry bag
and
I
eternal search truth,
beauty
devil or i
illusive
god
answer nny prayer
single
bed
five hours sleep still
traveling
never want a home a
man
to listen to
running from a past looking for a future
path of sun i
long to follow Edwina Miles
44
NOTES ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS VICKIE JESTER class,
She
a Junior from Richmond.
is
and says that most of her story
BARBARA .-MELTON
is
is
in
is
Mr. Eyester's creative writing
true.
a senior from Norfolk.
Barbara
is
past editor of the school
newspaper.
EDWINA MILES award,
is
Exmore.
a Junior from
is
her
contribution to the
first
HELEN PECHT, who won
first
place
Freight of
and
short story
in
which won a special
Flesh,
GYRE. in
prose impression,
is
in
Mr.
Eyester's writing class.
JOYCE ALBRO,
junior from Baltimore, Maryland,
CHRIS DIXON, a sophomore from Richmond, is and a member of Mr. Eyester's writing class. IDA
MAYE SIMMONS
FREDA RICHARDS
is
a freshman
who
is
a
is
a freshman.
and drama.
GYRE,
also interested in poetry.
sophomore from Tampa,
is
interested in Writing
is
a faithful contributor to the
Florida,
and
is
current editor of the
GYRE. ELIZABETH UHLER
PAT GILLETTE
a senior on the
is
PAIGE MITCHELL
LINDA DYER
is
MARY GOMPF
a is
a senior from
is
This
is
her
contribution to the
first
GYRE.
GYRE staff. McKenny.
sophomore on the
GYRE
art staff.
a senior from Portsmouth.'
She
is
currently short-story editor of the
GYRE.
BARBARA GARRISON SUSAN GOODES PHYLLIS MYERS
is
is
is
a senior from Alexandria,
and
a
member
of the
GYRE
staff.
a junior from Richmond. a
member
of the
GYRE
staff
who
contributes faithfully to each
issue.
The editor thanks the student body
for
Literary contest.
45
their
help and support of the annual
PATRONS The names appearing below have consented annual
Spring
Literary
Contest at Longwood
to sponsor the for
this
year
1965-66. Farmville Manufacturing
Company,
Farmville Shopping Center
Main Street Longwood Jeweler, 216 N. Main Street Grants, Farmville Shopping Center Princess Beauty Salon, 105 N. Main Street Chappell's. 212 N.
Burger's Market, 144 N. Main Street
Weyanolce Book
Store,
202 High Street
Leese's Pastry Shop. 119 M.
Main
Street
Rrst National Bank, 200 N. Main Street
Gray's Drug Store, 219 N. Main Street Carter's Flower Shop,
One
block from hospital
408 High Street Cedarbrook Restaurant, Rice Road James Madison Inn, Prospect Road Lanscotf's
Tastee-Freez, Prospect
WFLO
Road
Radio Studios, Cumberland Road
Farmville Herald, 114 North Street
The College Shop, 14 N. Main Street Newman's, N. Main Street 1
1
1
1
Owen-Sanford, Farmville Shopping Center Leggett's Department Store,
Main
Street
Crute's Drug Store, Main Street Collins Florist, 119 N.
Main
Street
Martin the Jeweler, 123 N. Main Street
Hollywood Beauty Salon, 102 N. Main Street Mr. Walter Eyster, Faculty Longwood College Miss Bland, Faculty Longwood College
46