V mhmuE,
moil
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To be
a well-favored
fortune: but to write
man
is
a gift of
and read comes
by nature. William Shakespeare
WINTER 1968 COLLEGE FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA
LONGWOOD VOLUME
4,
NUMBER
1968-1969
2
STAFF
Editors
Brenda Holly, Joan Harrup
Feature Editor
Linda Matthews
Poetry Editor staff
Essay Editor staff
Short Story Editor staff
Art Editor
Donna Barnes Sharon
Collins, Pixie
Owen
Karia Myers
Mary
Alice
Carmody, C.
L.
Dunnavant
Becky Powers Fran Simpers, Louise Dougherty Emily Gillespie and Janie Ragland
Literary Board
Chairmen
Wanda
Board
Fran Simpers, Pixie
Rush, Sharon Dietz
Mary Alice Carmody, Owen, Sharon Collins, C. L. Dunnavant,
Valerie Jones, Lise Worthington, Joan Barnes,
Lynn demons, Sharon Bourne, Kathy Godfrey, Louise Dougherty, Cathy Leary, Tricia Shaw,
Barbara Leahey, Margaret
Webb,
Glenna Lewis, Susan Dupriest
Betty Johnson,
Business
Manager
Stuart Fowlkes
Mary Alice Carmody, Nancy
stafF.
Harris,
Janice Gillenwater, Lynn Clemens, Lois Wells
Reporter
to
Circulation
ROTUNDA Manager
staff.
Nancy Pann
Harris
Wayne
Maureen Shannon,
Beffy Boylan,
Cindy
Randi Eldridge, Karen Knudsen, Emily
Margi
Lanfz, Bonnie
Irvin,
Salle,
Andrews, Sara Drewry,
Edrie Bays, Carol Brotherton, Marcia Harris,
Mary Lee McKeever Typists
Nancy
Harris,
Head;
Betty Boylan, Linda Carter Publicity
Janet Lacy, Peggy Clowdis, Doris Reames, Edrie Bays, Janice Gillenwater, Linda Lew, Shari Heflin, Penny Eberly,
Proofreaders
Jenny Young
Janet Lacy, Peggy Clowdis, Lynn demons,
Sharon Bourne
Exchange Editor
Pam Wayne
Advisors:
Uferary
Miss Etheridge
Business
Mrs. Taliaferro
Art.
Miss Leitch
TABLE OF CONTENTS From In
the Editor
Appreciation, essay
Untitled,
pen and
Age, poenn Untitled,
drawing
ink
Fourth
Street,
6
Bruce
7
Booker
8
Linda Long
short story
Hill,
5
Susan Gilliam
Ruth
object print
Village
4
John McCrimmon Emilia
,
,
J.C.H.
9
Susan Gilliam
graphics
Untitled,
poem
Glenna Lewis
Untitled,
serigraph
Ruth
All's
MaxWell, charcoal drawing
Untitled,
poem
.
Mary
11
Booker
12
Betty Johnson,
The Man, feature
10
Alice
Glenna Lewis
15
16
Diane Schools
.
Defeat, prose impression
Suzanne Turner
Daydream, linoleum
Haiku
Day,
Vaughan Charlotte Hooker Sharon Bourne, Joan Harrup Donna Gleason Jenny Young
for a V/inter's
Who's Afraid
of the Big
Study,
drawing
pencil
poem
Bad Wulf, parody
.
Richmond Symphony, poem God's Child, poem Johnny Helps with the Funeral, or Burying Uncle George, short story
Storm, linoleum print
poem
War, graphics With Due Respect, poem
...
17
-
18
Dillard
Visions Inspired by the
Untitled,
13
Carmody
.
.
18 19
20 21
Cookie Howell
22
Catherine Leary
23
Gail Blount
24
Donna Barnes Dillard Vaughan
28
Diahn Simonini
29
28
FROM THE EDITOR It
is
often said that a college literary
magazine should be
a mirror of the Interests of the student body. This
what the Gyre the
magazine
is
lacks depth.
The
lack depth.
It
staff gladly
Is
Gyre received an anonymous
Recently the tion.
The writer congratulated the
of short stories, poetry,
lack It
hold
depth or is
in
his
nanne. Is
in
He
is
it
good literary judge same criticism we have received
evidently a very
Press
Association
by these two
services.
It
rating
For
Al-
services. First
Class
this
courage Longwood students and
It
reason,
lacks
we
depth and constantly
the current Issue,
It
for
would both
like to
his
take
praise
whether students or they
like
this
and
be used.
Is
It If
decided not used
and published
opportunity to thank the
in
faculty,
letter writer
and
also
encourage
to write
and
let
criticism
or dislike about the magazine.
us
others,
know what
Only by constantly we hope to
re-evaluating our strengths and weaknesses can
make
the
Gyre more representative
better magazine.
a
faculty to submit works for
reviewed
then read by
Board before will
often reconsidered
Is
Is
have yet
is
a later one.
en-
publication expressing their attitudes and feelings concerning topic.
of the Literary
has not received the highest.
American, rating chiefly because
wider range of topics.
any
In
The material
literary article
whether or not a particular work
I
necessary to with-
though the Gyre consistently has been given a rating
the
both our Associated Collegiate Press and
Columbia Scholastic
All
In
general the works
members
at least six
other words are not thought provoking.
precisely the
the past from
evalua-
work which appeared
art
unfortunate that the writer found
since this in
and
hlowever, he also stated that
issue,
last
letter of
staff for the fine collection
and each
editorial staff,
We
wish to submit.
to refuse an entry for consideration.
by the
If
only because the contributions
accepts any literary or art works
members
students and faculty
exactly
is
Longwood.
trying to accomplish here at
J.C.H.
of
Longwood and
a
APPRECIATION
IN
support
American
the
learn to read
John McCrlmmon
is
essential
tising
faith
and write on they are to
if
put out by
all
comprehend and vocal
Attending such
health.
an individual's vocabulary and
mum "Allons enfants de Let us rise
land. a
in
la
patrie."
Come
children of the father-
praise of the glories of the Students for
Democratic Society. These young men and ability
little
have charitably decided to lead
perfect democracy.
them
their
chance?
Let us follow!
Is
Most promising
it
is
women us
to
of
a
not crotchety to this
no
more deny
new attempt! The democracy (an-
S.D.S. clearly states the nature of a proper
archy)
and the method necessary
anarchy). The end
for
its
not only justifies the
achievement
means
—
the
is
Such a simple and straightforward program (or pogrom?) cannot be denied Alas, there are always a few skeptics. In the end they make the best converts, but they must first be convinced. A a
too
is
stupid,
ability to use
his
of
speech exist to
No
the vulgar.
point of view
is
is
for maxi-
it
membership.
in
No
emotionally
or
ill-bathed,
ill-dressed,
thus pro-
can greatly enhance
rallies
no discrimination
Freedom
unstable to join.
permitted members,
emphasize the loud and
too liberal to be acceptable.
Even bed partners are a matter of changing choice without bureaucratic
restriction.
no other movement goes to
Truly
such lengths to be democratic! S.D.S.
is
members
not a
ment discussions and universities. I
doubt
strengths
busy schedules In
In
—an
fact,
is
little
spent
in
free
time
its
self-improve-
attending classes at our distinguished
Has any reformation
It.
What
partying group.
ferret out of
this
is
one
In
of
history
the
been
as serious?
movement's great
unwillingness to laugh, indeed even a refusal to
closer look at the organization should persuade the most hard-
smile. This should
headed. The honorable ladies and gentlemen
believe that
of social unrest
is
demonstra-
and
strength,
though strong social pressures
(also
end
the means. is it
one
There
results.
the vast array of adver-
local chapters. Their public
tions require both physical
mote good
Members must
education.
in
at least a fourth-grade level. This
life
be good to be
ought
tonic for those fun.
still
silly
enough
to
As
Capitalists these folk are
generally
published
taxpayer); they save
water
they
bills;
buildings
always
good
talk
costly
the
in
(parents)
room, board, and necessities.
Our
and
is
(the
and hot university
they
rentals;
paying
into
hats
people
haircuts
streets
meeting-hall
citizens
propaganda
other
of
enormous amounts on
congregate
avoid
to
Their
first rate.
expense
the
at
almost
for
their
must be doffed
to
such enterprising youths.
Perhaps most important to the S.D.S. symbol system.
All
man on
viable societies
the
street
is
and
social
move-
the
ments must have physical and linguistic symbols for the purpose of Identification. Ess Dee Essers have handled both requirements beautifully. The physical symbol is a gesture which the
is one not to be described in print. However, it has advantage of getting all members "Involved." Several
symbolic verbal chants
reproduce
them
like this:
S.D.S.
aims
in
to find.
difficult
to
XXXX
or
X%=I/4Z#.
prefers to conduct
so
its
may
own I
discussions of detailed
refer
the
inquisitive
and
reader to any local chapter. These are not hard Every large university has one. Good luck to you.
You may be been.
but these also are
because typographers invariably misspell
and techniques,
interested
exist,
as
overwhelmed by these proud people
as
I
have
.
AGE Yes,
Age,
you may bend the back, twist the limbs,
pluck the sweet bloom of youth;
You come
But,
with gnarled hands;
deforming, crippling, suffering are your cohorts.
You
steal that
which was once
the essence of our existence; lovely,
For with
leaving devastation.
The alertness
is
you cannot destroy Hope,
we
dulled;
palsied efforts replace deftness of stroke.
Hope
as our crutch,
labor under the tyranny
with which
you
rule.
Wrinkles are your handicraft;
Do you
delight
In
your embroidery?
Forgetfulness, the silent healer of time,
erases the scars of living ia
and creates the fantasy realm
Once
of childhood.
again the aged cuddle to their dried bosoms
head of youth, and dance painlessly on distorted feet Only to wake to the twisted and contorted pain the tousled
.
of mental crippling.
.
Bruce
^-ii^^^^^^^^Mm^m
— VILLAGE HILL The Quelitos
— Mama,
Papa, Juan, and Retina
the Lafayette district of Pittsmorth back in
in
settled
New
was born. They had moved there from
Retina
after
— had
1955, the year
York, a Wizard-of-Oz city Retina was always hearing about
could
but
not
that the area
was
but the
didn't even wait to
She always had nanne
last
—and
to spell
with
be asked anynnore.
it
— not
Carwell was the big, new high school in
the Village Hill area of the city.
built only
Modern
two years
design, air-
conditioned classrooms, bright colors, the finest furniture and equipnnent nnoney could couldn't get
You
couldn't
"Village
came
much
to
Everyone the
elite,
just
had
Hill,
buy:
was Carwell,
that
get
much Hill
Retina's ears!
better .
.
How knew
."
than
Village
thoroughly exclusive sounding!
meant the
the
moneyed and the privileged. That's why Carwell be Carwell and like nothing ever seen in Pitts-
to
that Village Hill
morth higher education before. Village
Hill
kids
go
finest,
there.
.
.
"My
either.
Pittsmorth
the
"Village
knew, and of
bus
come,
hasn't
meant something: crime,
Hill,"
ran
It
all
way from
the
43rd where the railroad tracks and the
1st
Cliffs
snobbish neighbors, the Village Hillers.
its
back Into
rushed
breath
"Cramley's geography
— proving
lungs;
Retina's
she had
made
just
and, it
test
today, and
so they kicked on the 45 with lunch,
I
forgot
my
I
don't
." .
.
." .
.
lunch!"
Retina caught the fragments of conversation which only a
magically the words
in
lucky
she
the school bus turned on Wilson and 42nd.
and you
Hill
You're
poor immigrants.
from
it
all
sure enough, a second later
".
How
to
winter
Icy
better than that.
Village
down
Street
late!
like
dirty
separated
standard procedure.
ago
and
dirt,
strawberry soda
a
about
you!"
"Lafayette,"
the
new teachers she At Carwell it was
left
of
just
limited.
you're
"Retina,
Q-U-E-L-l-T-O, Retina.
the sake
for
Lafayette was
gone, and
Retina part,
—even
remember.
load of adolescents at 7:30 ever, sat
as
A.M. can produce.
seldom found the courage
by the window the
last
(a
window
to
seat
Retina,
available)
tenements of Lafayette raced by.
how-
She usually
contribute.
and watched
42nd
43rd, the tracks, and up the Cliffs they rumbled.
Street,
To be
sure, Lafayette
on 10th
had
another school
in
have gone there
If
own
its
district.
Higfi— way up She could have— would
Lafayette
the Pittsmorth City Fathers hadn't redrawn
the districts only a year ago.
Now, everyone down on
lower end from 40th Street up had to go to Carwell. "Dates a gym teacher from Woodward Junior,
and
them and
I
the
saw
." .
"So then
.
"
said, 'Grease the left axle and see if "The Urals can't be in Africa, Miss Cramley, because "Won't somebody loan me fifty cents for lunch?" .'
I
.
.
." .
.
Lafayette hligh was a superstructure of ancient cubicles welded together by paint-peeling walls all old enough to remember the French and Indian War or so Mr. Almano In the history department said. You couldn't learn half as
—
much
at that place.
(Carwell
girls
You have
giggle at
The bus strained up the
ment They'd be
—
in
to share the
gym
with the boys!
that.)
Cliffs.
Village Hill.
Retina waited.
Her pulse—she
Any mo-
couldn't con-
trol it always quickened at that entrance. Houses, no tenements, real grass and backyards, and frontyards too. She supposed then that, in truth, she was learning more than she ever could at old Lafayette— even if her best friends, Maria
and Caria, had
to
go
marry a Carwell
rich
boys
could learn.
man
Caria loved new fashions; what
there.
she could learn at Carwell;
And
or never
Maria, whose desire was to
marry
and get married
for
at
all,
sure.
she would Certainly
date
Maria
—
The bus made only one Village descension on the part of Village
Hill Hill,
sfop.
Ir
was a con-
of course;
were only so many busses, and one had
to
but there
understand the
sacrifices.
A
voice tore into Retina's thoughts, a voice picked up at
the Village Hill stop.
dumb
"I
said
move your
books! You deaf and
As we walk out in the woods become more aware. I
or somethin'? Stupid Spic."
I
feel life as
he feels
He makes my
Yes, Village Hill taught you twice what Lafayette could.
Oh, would The
air
is
So nippy
life
that
I
—We
smell
Oooo! Listen,
Linda Long It's
so
could
his!
so sharp, it.
"Taste the clean
And
it.
so rich
my
It's
air,
cold on
Mommie,
Mommie.
my
tongue.
don't you hear?
snowing!"
child perceives.
Glenna Lewis
—
— THE
It
has been said that there are three rapid means of com-
munication: "telegraph, telephone, and first
a
woman." The
two are established and popular methods of transmitting
messages; as
for the third, well
One Sunday ends spent
at
late prediction
wood.
as girls
.
it
that
the
in
to
Dixon
Miss
immediate
visit
future.
campus from week-
had foreseen
a small
that
a
women's college it seemed that
Suddenly
there were no other qualifying schools
in
the state,
spot so perfect for the crime as the here and now. victim
—
As
women's college
Sometime There are
Wait!
Yeah,
Or
college.
If
it's
man would scary
Well then, you leave!
I
don't
could
it!
She's
lots of
Oh,
it
Longwood.
be
couldn't
other small col'eges
in
How
Virginia.
that's small.
It
just
And
couldn't be us.
the buildings are
Westhampfon!
we
But
open
are
In
day.
all
a
small
Anyone
just
Oh,
I
won't
believe
it.
Jeanne Dixon
isn't
always
Besides, she wouldn't have a thing like this pub-
right!
you want to hear
month!
this
Sweetbriar, Strafford, Averette,
lished
right.
small
a
and murder a student!
about Hollins?
anyway.
Gosh, that a
Virginia
in
Are you kidding?
for the
No! She said
did she say?
man's gonna disguise himself and enter
Sure.
prediction?
always
A
and no
out of some 1700 students each girl's chances of being the one seemed to be at least 1700 to 1. Hey, y'all, have you heard about Jeanne Dixon's latest
What
What? When?
.
home and various other activities, news of a made by Jeanne Dixon found its way to Long-
Word had
Virginia
.
were returning
disguised mass murderer would in
tell
MAN
It
could cause a panic!
that's right.
Let's don't
imagine what would
tell
happen
anybody if
this
else.
got
Can
around
campus?
my light on tonight anyway! hammer under my pillow!
Well, I'm sleeping with
Yeah, and with a
And
many rooms all over campuses in As the rumors spread they grew more Students who generally tore at their hair to get
so
it
went on,
throughout the intense.
ideas
for
state.
themes, art projects,
Longwood Ladies and their counterparts in became quite adept in mapping out intricate
tions.
colleges
of strategy for
other plans
meeting the attacker.
as an alarm, to topple.
arsenals.
P.E.
files,
majors
Cans forks,
hall
was an
began
to live in
Some
one and one
for
all"
"No one
of hair spray
and knives
in
and starch joined growing bedside
and sports enthusiasts became more
and more popular as neighbors came to borrow hockey golf clubs and even tennis rackets. One girl returning to her own room from a late date knocked over two drying racks and a trash can which had been set up to ward off
Whole
halls
one room.
MAN.
dorm," "This
up alone.
sit
affair.
students resorted to witty tactics
suade ThIE that
but no one wanted to
patrols,
for
"all
lives
here anymore,"
attempts to dis-
"You're
"Down
a men's college,"
is
in
Notes appeared on doors to inform him
on the right," "Have you ever thought of
anyone entered a neighbor's room unannounced she was apt to make her presence known at once by causing a row of soft drink bottles and cans, lined up parallel to the door If
with scissors, nail
It
and other assignments sud-
denly developed the most acute and hypersensitive imagina-
up
setting
the
the
in
visiting
wrong
two doors
hall, .
College?" Although, the said prediction originally specified a
mass murderer, many
had
girls
it
was
that he
one-girl
a
man! Okay,
girls'
y'all,
good
pretty
let's
just
sized school
larger than
And you know
schools anyway.
always around.
calm down.
—
We've got
rooms, what's the reason
I
this
all,
some
this
is
a
of the other
"nighty watch"
is
dorms and all those should be this room? Or nine
sticks,
even
After
It
dorm?
guess so.
But
still
this
a
is
pretty isolated
room,
intruders.
As
the inevitable
A
moment loomed
nearer, studies and sleep
few of the most timid tried to barricade their doors with the heaviest objects they could find their own beds. This plan was not highly successful, however, since
waned.
—
bed lay awake all night watching and waiting for the doorknob to turn. Upperclassmen living in suites considered the possibility of keeping night vigils and the
person
in
the
stuck over here right
in
up here, get
even knew
How
the back of the dorm, us
and scoot on out before anybody
it!
about
my room?
Right by the stairs!
Yeah, and I'm on the ground
What lives at
hie could run
are
we gonna do?
the scene of the crime.
floor. It
Convenience!
sounds
like
each
of us
Listen in
got
I've
y'all.
a
great
idea!
your room and you can get out,
as
you run down the
Can't you the
hall,
just
it:
and suddenly
If
comes
he
the fire alarm
be a
riot?
here he comes running
down
Wouldn't
hall!
imagine
pull
lorty-five
girls
that
come bounding
out into the hall with books, towels, coats, scarves, shoes,
and pounce
On what.
on him!
Everyone was
nounced such
right
the following morning, things had
in
still
the dining
prediction
at
ail.
hall
that
Things
calmed down somewas anit
Later that day,
alive!
Miss
then
Dixon
returned
had made no to
normal
Longwood.
Betty
Johnson and Glenna Lev
at
He
is
to
me
hie
is
to
me
the sea.
the sand.
Surging strength
Swirling billows, building castles
Constant
Endless realms
Endless depths of light
Of
and
particles, so perfect, so
minute
Yet, each, exemplifying
darkness.
hie
is
to
truth.
me He
the sun.
Sends
forth
its
is
to
me sustenance.
Abounding warmth. rays to those
A
who need.
He
nourishment to
Is
to
the bleakness
and
Makes me able
causing
to withstand.
pain.
He
In
of despair
Yet, burning to the core
And
soul.
whispers courage
me the sky.
Heaven's promise high beyond. Blue openness
and
Diane Schools
joy.
Secrets lying 'hind a cloud
Of
frothy white
transparency.
16
DEFEAT
There she
sat,
was empty, save cool, crystal
heavily on her chest.
ders. dull
Her
for her.
reflection could
green water of the six-lane pool.
by the chlorine
in
as
Her
If
brown
long,
the water,
Her eyes had and blank
The
alone, on the starting block.
fell
lost their
gym
entire
be seen
in
the
Her head hung
hair, partially
bleached
uncurled on her wet shoul-
usual sparkle.
the very essence of
life
They were now had gone from
them. They did not look at any particular thing but rather stared unmoving at the ripples that were
bathing
suit.
As she looked
There was only one, but
No one
could
it
made by
was cold and
salty
know how sad she was.
thought back to the minutes before, could
her dripping
down
up, a tear rolled
her cheek.
and deliberate.
Only feel
she,
defeat. She had lost the race.
1
17
as
she
the pains of
Tur
A
HAIKU FOR
Eiderdown Enfolds
My
my
love
WINTER'S DAY
of
snow
heart to nestle
warm
inside.
Cfiarlotte
Note.
Haiku
of five, seven,
is
a
and
Japanese verse form
Hooker
in
tfiree
five syllables respectively.
lines
WHO'S AFRAID OF THE
According
kingdom
come
most legends,
to
to help the old boy.
to the surface!!!
Once upon
Queenie, visited Sweden. in
love with her. That
to
Denmark.
When
Beowulf went to
However, the
is
a time,
that
madly
why Wulf and The Pack Journeyed
Wulf discovered that Queenie was romanced by a handsome young creature named Grendel who had an equally as pleasing mother named Grendel's Mother. Wulf was extremely jealous of Grendel so he bewitched the honey-suckled (actually she was full of mead) Queenie. This made Queenie reject her amorous young currently
they
arrived,
being
said,
became very moon
Every night when the
v/ould
have
an arm and ran off into the woods to die.
Wulf,
who had never been arm and placed
stuffed the
could see
try to
distressed over this rejec-
in
his
it
a success as a big
game
hunter,
on the mantle so that everyone
marvelous achievement. Queenie was especially
rose
Grendel developed severe emo-
Whenever Queenie refused his affection, Grendel would eat a member in the great mead hall. Meanwhile, Beowulf became extremely upset by Grendel's manners and decided
that
it
was time
(who was
arm was tacked above the fireplace, she decided she would teach Wulf and The Pack a few lessons in decency. Ma Grendel lured Wulf to a pool
problems.
coarse dinner
Grendel's Mother learned that her son
illegitimate)
"No!" this,
the male population.
When
above the tree tops win back Queenie's love and each time she
After a few years of tional
it,
luck
proud of him because now there would be no more decrease
Lovesick Grendel
he went to
lost his
As
lost
Grendel.
tion.
outraged young man
head and started to fight Wulf. Wulf had the advantage. When a child, Wulf had been a full-blooded, heavy-bearded male who found it necessary to begin shaving at the age of five and had enrolled in the Hai Karate self-defense course. After Wulf applied those infallible techniques, poor Grendel
Hrothgar's wife, fell
to adopt proper table etiquette. When he suggested Grendel read Emily Post and stop slurping blood, the
Grendel
Hrothgar's
truth has finally
Beowulf saw her and
WULF?
BIG BAD
had been
killed
and
and they went together
took him to her underwater pad.
Beowulf and
Ma
that
for a
19
midnight swim.
She
After a long hot summer,
Grendel had a violent argument concerning
Grendel's corpse which had been lying
for
his
in
state for the past
two months.
Again Wulf applied the Hai Karate method,
and he succeeded
killing
In
However, before she died.
latest
his
Ma
had been her first lover and were half-brothers.
father
lover,
Grendel
Ma
Grendel.
Wulf that his Grendel and he
told
that
(Beowulf)
When Wulf
returned to the great
hall,
he discovered that
hlrothgar had run off with the tavern maid and that Queenle
had a new
lover, Wiglaf. Fearing that Wulf would cause more Queenle and Wiglaf decided to dispose of Wulf. So Queenle persuaded Wulf to go kill a dragon for her. Wiglaf and a helper, Unferth, put on a dragon costume and went out to fight Wulf. Alas! Alas! This time the Hal Karate method did not work. Before Wulf could get close
trouble,
enough, Wulf. the
Wiglaf pulled
out
a
flame
throv/er
and
roasted
order to dispose of the witness, Wiglaf then threw flame at the posterior of the dragon. Unfortunately In
Queenle had been alone
In
the
Conclusion:
In
v/orld.
the dragon's
Despondent,
tail.
he
So now Wiglaf was took
a
powder.
Beowulf was not a Great Dane.
Sharon Bourne and Joan Harrup
20
all
—
— VISIONS INSPIRED BY THE
RICHMOND SYMPHONY
—
A
shadow falls What comes? Friend? Enemy? Descending on me. swirling round I
sink
upon the sand
A velvet My Swell, music, surge with the
waves on the beach. I
Snatching at sandpipers that hunt along the water's edge
And
skuttle
in
the mountains, rolling from peak
To peak. Spurts
of
wind and
flutter for shelter, tossing
My
until
in
we
to find
slip to
earth
spiral
neck. ... a
rise with in
.
creamy mane;
the love of flight.
and kneel beside I
snort.
the wind,
downward
It is done, my life, but have And would live no more.
Like scraps of paper, bits of leaves.
warm
me.
the strands of his
heart as one with his
At length we
them
come
wrap my hands
rain catch birds I
Who
steed has
We gallop
out of reach, afraid to wet their feet.
Thunder mutters
in fear.
nudge against my
to
my
his
lived
grave;
magnificence. it
to the fullest.
The breakers leap toward hieaven; the thunder peaks
As God in his black tux waves a frenzied arm. At once there is silence. The clouds have broken Into a
thousand vapors to tinge with purple
The crimson-yellow glory of the Beside the lapping water's
sunset.
edge
I
sigh
For the end of such a day. Swish!
I
am
aloft,
Jenny Young
soaring above the mountains
Astride the winged stallion Pegasus,
Up
to heaven, never to return to
Sorrow! The very word hurls
me
sorrow to the
beach again
To walk alone among the seaweed.
21
GOD'S CHILD To him
given eternal springs
is
Strewn with butterflies and
He knows
not
chill
that
stars;
autumn
brings,
Nor battlegrounds, nor iron bars, Nor oppression's vine that wraps and
And
strangles
Graced This
boy
its
with love from will
That echoes
clings
victims as tyranny rings.
ail
around,
never learn the
strife
each moment's sound, The voice of what is not his life; in
For he the Fates chose to be crowned
With innocence and by
trust
be bound.
boy with thoughts so mild grow to be a man never know of others wild
Yes, this small
Will never hfe'll
From hunger by another's plan. On this boy God Himself has smiled; I
envy
this
retarded child.
Cookie Howell
22
JOHNNY HELPS WITH THE FUNERAL, OR BURYING UNCLE GEORGE
By the time receiver I
I
got to the kitchen.
down on
Mom
was
She looked a
the phone.
asked her what was going on.
It
seemed
just
little
I'd
had
that the call
been from Uncle George's lawyer. (Uncle George brother from San Francisco.
putting the
shocked, so
never met him.
years now, we'd only been reminded of him by
Mother's
Is
For
some annual
his
printed Christmas greeting.) The lawyer had called to say that
Uncle George had been taken away by a heart attack the night before,
burled.
and
Mom,
Maple Grove, was The
I
ing.
think It
was the phone that woke
it
me
must've been about 8:30 'cause
yelling to
Dad from
bridge mix
the
end
why
and ringing
'til
the
morn-
could hear
Mom
I
of the walk to bring
for the party, as his
curb. That's
that Saturday
she got back
In
just
It
On
the house.
usually sleep through the early kiddie cartoons
the
really
good
on before awake, so
I
I
stuff,
like
pulled on
my
now
I
was pretty
Grandma
for
she did
remaining
charge
was
call
of
all
relative
here
in
"arrangements." Martin
Mrs.
—
to
explain
Cravet & Son's Funeral
I
Home
dressed so they'd know she'd be
'til
it
Mom
took twice as long
'cause she's getting pretty old and sometimes
has a hard time understanding. Then
mom
told
her to
1
well
noticed
down about
10:00.
it
1
pants and went on downstairs.
the
23
call
while she went upstairs to get
was taking Grandma a pretty long time the number; and when went to help her she said
All-Amerlcan Astro-Artie, comes
get out of bed; but by
in
went through the whole thing with her
kept ringing
and wait
be
last
the kitchen, (my father's mother, not Uncle George's).
home some
Saturdays
thing
to
his
why she wouldn't be able to have her and Mr. Martin over for bridge as planned. About that time Grandma came into
carpool ride hurried from the
phone woke me.
first
were shipping him home to be
that they
being
"dangdest" thing she'd ever seen
— there
to find it
was
"weren't no"
undertakers
So
either.
listed I
the yellow pages.
in
ran the
book
I
when he
any
couldn't find
Mom, and
upstairs to
she promptly
located Cravet & Son's under "Funeral Directors."
Since
want to
to
meet
go along.
When we city block,
and a good deal
roomy parking corner
—
it
lot.
looked
was relieved
like
All
like
of the lay-out
Cravet's
cars
the used car
of her usual
lot
is
I
one
grief she could not
spe-
was for
traditionally Its
his
similarly to
He
desk.
smiled a
comfortable, and then expressed
Mom. He
assured her that
rose to
Management his
"sin-
her time of
in
have come to a better place; that Cravet's known among the citizens of Maple Grove
high-caliber professional service and sincerity; and that
Mr. Brown, that was Uncle George, would receive their complete attention
and most competent services
In
a
funeral of
dignity and refinement.
Once
inside,
the
first
thing that struck
fountain just gurgling away. of waiting
around, and
we
It
was
In
me was
this
room. There was piped-in organ music didn't
have
to wait long
Grandma asked about
giant
Cravet offered
the center of a fancy
before a
his
all
man dressed
an
to
show
really
Mom done
mentioned as
much
should've over these
Artie
picking
to
to his
25
a
casket,
and
Mr.
As we passed from coffin to Grandma that since she hadn't Uncle George as she probably
for last
fifteen years,
do the very best by him now. make up for her neglect. After
I
out
us the variety of coffins available in
basement display room.
coffin,
usher and lookmg a little like All-American Astroapproached us. He was wearing a dark suit and a carnation. With the music and all, kinda half-way expected to see my Sunday school teacher next. The man shared several words with Mom in a private tone, like the preacher uses like
all
In
book.
kind
us
upstairs
As he
out was his son.
bulging magazine rack behind
who
to
the picture of
now found
I
noticed him slide a copy of Mortuary
made
little,
As we walked to the Grandma how much Cravet's Mount Vernon in my History 8
mentioned
I
who
cere sympathy" to
were parked
their lives, all
office.
a
consumed by
of a dealer
us
Into a
Cravet's covers half a
sedans and limousines.
cializes in black
main entrance looked
Mom
got downtown.
of hunting a parking space.
go
to
Mr. Cravet was a plump old man dressed very the usher,
I
problem
and rededicate then ushered us
people
Mr. Cravet's
to
Dad would be at work all day and Mom really didn't do all this by herself, Grandma and were delegated
forth
Grandma and me, and
tells
smiled at
This that,
she really wanted to
was the
last
chance
to
Mr. Cravet led us over
deluxe model, solid copper, quality coffin, the Colonial
He
Beauty.
Classic
talked
briefly
about
As we were
seamless top,
its
create
a
figured
a
"memory memory
picture"
of
sounded
picture
only picture we'd had of Uncle
mas card some
Mom
building.
five years
back of him
Mr. Cravet put
Mom
at the train station.
in
to
all.
since
too,
I
the
a photo-Christ-
it,
was
just
pine,
to
If
before
space
for
1
We
got
In
the car
we
lared entrance,
we were much like
there would
would arrive
mentioned
ing.
He
Mr. Cravet told her that Uncle for
remaining
details,
that
she
to the order of the final
something
could confidently entrust
from the arrangement of the procession, to him.
about a shroud,
consult
their
personal
all
of
and Mr. Cravet said grave-wear couturier
he
for
the
It
all
spread
was
Apostles.
sections
for
across
who was dressed
age ranging some-
prepared
that Mr.
with
plots
peaceful slumbering
for us, with a port-
desk,
his
and
Mom
Cravet seemed
He
26
he
said to think
to
available.
Mom
In
the
Garden
finally inter-
of
the
Mr. Burrie explained that the cost of the vault
would be figured
creation of an "original fashion" for Mr. Brown.
pil-
After looking through Kodacolor reproductions
various
ment place
said
that
nice
town
of
decided on what Mr. Burrie assured her would be an
floral tributes
Grandma
the
Burrie,
Mr. Cravet had called ahead.
that
of everything.
the
by Mr.
He was
edge
the
to
Passing through a
pointer to the office. There
followed a
photos
colored
of
Grandma how
viewing by tomorrow morn-
then gave her a choice of the unoccupied reposing
rooms and said
would
folio
located.
Is
the two Cravets and was of an
where between them.
George would be prepared
and drove out
cordially greeted
be a hearse there to meet him, and Mr. Cravet promised that a coach would be waiting. When Mom said that the train that afternoon,
a
full
1
Mom
where Memorial Gardens
George.
but Mr. Cravet
know
recommend had been
family site
everness Lawn Memorial Gardens, Inc.
the time of her loved one's arrival
Grandma wanted
since
the thing
to Uncle
asked Cravet to
was born, and our own little plot only had and Dad and, guess, me. Grandma had her place over In Hummelstown where she was born, so we needed a nice place for Uncle George. Mr. Cravet gave Mom the card of a Mr. Burrie, memorial counselor at For-
front of his office
that this
Grandma mumbled something about was already asking
nice,
George was
seemed convinced
for her "final tribute," as
comfort
lasting
Mom
leaving,
reputable cemetery. The original
welded body construction, innerspring "Perfect Posture" bed, and the sixty color choices available for its satin-acetate lining. He assured her that in this coffin Mr. Brown would
then put us
In
into the plot cost as a slight additional fee. his
car to go out and see the chosen loca-
tion.
We
took a of
Mom
was a
little
a
As Mr.
businessman. Uncle Burrie
exhorted
Mom
Grandma asked section chosen
that
Mom
in
of
of
perpetual
the
care.
like
in
the
we
knowledge
lovely
returned
home
that
accordance with the name
select
a
monument
for
of
She
paper.
said
and
I
could
that she
tell
at
by the look
ease with the
had done the very best by Uncle George,
the
back to the Catherine Leary
was unable
to
remember
if
Uncle George
had a favorite apostle. There was even some doubt whether he had attended church these past fifteen years, but with the help of Mr. Burrie she
managed
to pick a
"handsome
the form of Saint Paul.
27
it
comfort to know that such dependable people were
Uncle George
hie took us
to
Mr. Cravet must've gotten
afternoon
Mom's
had
in
Grandma
taking care of the whole matter,
where he produced a catalogue filled with pictures of monuments. After passing by the Venuses, crosses, cherubs, and angels, we came to the section containing the
memorial marker"
real
to
notice
to,
already waiting on our porch,
about a tombstone, and then Mr.
the form of his favorite apostle,
Mom
remarked
now attended
tributes"
"floral
on her face that her conscience was resting
it.
office
apostles.
the details
obituary
was a
figured that, having
shaded quality
the
and the advantages doubts seemed to be overcome. Burrie suggested
I
George would probably
landscape
Mom the
of
disturbed that the plot was
such clear view of the office; but
been
Garden
all
several
find
an area close to our
point which Mr. Burrie identified as the
the Apostles.
in
to
With
Pines,
through the Orchard
at Everlasting Love, traveled
Peace and then wound around
starting
in
Babyland and Whispering
passed through
left
A
creation so tenderly
Enjoying
Its
silent,
own mysterious dream.
yawn-smile was so confident
The
lazy
We
Realists grin; then
remember and scream.
That peaceful slumber has been
lost in
time
To a red and brown puddle of senseless mud. Wise wasteful world you have planted a crime: hlis Is
Being has fallen
— one
single thud.
there an answer to torturous life?
Where
When But
we
A
is
all all
the Reason for smiling so long
do
fetus
We
Happiness ends
of a
insist that
dreaming
hope
will
in strife?
hate's not wrong. In
the widow's
be proud
womb
at his father's
tomb.
Donna Barnes
—
— — —
—— ——— WITH DUE RESPECT
Where do go Where do go
from here,
I
I've
my
dreamed
and gotten I've
I've said Hello,
to the I
have
dream
queers
in
am
a capitalist.
I
like
possessions.
I
have a
cat.
I
have a
social conscience.
I
have a glass menagerie.
I
a parking ticket Bali
Ha!
Harlem ghetto-
Young Lovers
And am
Central Park
tried to expatriate
I
a family.
a
time past
Where do
And
I
would
Make
go from here?
like to
If
sing songs
I
— map —
I
am
a
Into
Night
I
29
into a million pieces,
us!
Where do go
Diahn Simonini
all,
turbulence,
weather the Long Days
Lord bless
coward.
stars
an eggcrate.
among my
Without cracking
itinerary
dangling on some fence post. But
will
—
with any luck at
sit still
Journey
disappear Leaving schedule
I
of the vast mist of
hurled into
Where,
cut out
free
—out —sprung from
man
and missed Coca-Colas. I
disappear
postcards
and souvenirs!
the impossible
looked for
me
can see
With my matched Samsonite
feet
the back streets of the
in
I
trailing
climbed every mountain
and blistered I've
man?
from here?
I
from here?
PATRONS Baldwin's, Farmville. Virginia
Shop Cedar Brook Restaurant, Rice Road College Shoppe Carter's Flower
Collins Florist
Crute's Esther
May
Farnnvllle
Village
Shop
Herald
Farmville Manufacturing Co., Shopping Center
Grant's Shopping Center
Gray's Rexall Knit Korner
Leggett's
Longwood
Jeweler, Farmville, Virginia
Martin The Jeweler
Moore's Distributing Co.
Newman's Owen-Sanford, Shopping Center Sherwin-Williams Co. Smitty Electric Co.
Stackpole Components
Company,
State Theater
30
P.
O. Box
M