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%!el Goldilocks and the 'Shree Bears A V i s i t From St. Richolas Goldilocks 'a la Shakespeare Dragnet: Case o f the Wolfe

Author

Joyce Signm k&se ~ a v i s Doris Brittaim Hudson. hrry L. Woodt\mrd

C l i h Judith Johnson

Puns Monster's Breakfast Cindy Miller Musical Misery larry L. Woodward The Three Little Pigs or

How's a Wolf to Make a Living These Days Sheila H o M

Ward hpmmkations Cents - Scents - Since - Sense Joyce S i m A n t s and Aunts Denise Davis '

Mate and Mate: A Misunderstanding Mary Jo Spencer S m ' ews Lloris Hudson Nonsense Pane John Oxford The Mess Larry L. W d r d

Cornrersatim wedwad in the kitchen . . . . . . at the Nakung Restaurant in an alley at the Burger K i n g

Narratives and 'prwls Black Beard and Bil ly Ghostly h g e Weeping What Shall Become of Me The Stranger Nursery Rhym Blues As I Close the Ihor Beach Odyssey No. 3 Face in the Mirror The .Conqueror's Creed Claraklle's New Shoes Fire

G i n a Fisher Anonymous John Oxford Donna Harmon

E. A* Robinsan Paul Simon Judith J o h o n Joyce Sigrmn Mary Jo Spencer bm H a m J o h W o r d Denise Davis

Steve Stroup, Jr. Larry L. W d r d Steve Stroup, Jr. J o h Oxford Doris Hudson Sheila Holman hVema DeBenigo h r r y L. Wmdward Sheila H o l m Judith Johnson Alma Powell

Page

Cover design and illustration by Judi t h Johnson

Parody

Goldilocks and the Three Bears (King Jams Style)

Thou shalt listen to this tale of Ion@, ago about three bars and a gold&-

haired muan, whose surname was Smith. Thw shalt not judge the happenings.

It c a ~ to pass threescore and faur years ago that a yamg m m m walketh

down a moded path and cometh upan a cottage in the edge of the w . d s where

a b m k m e t h . She hocketh on the door, but Inark, there was no answer,

so she openeth the door and entereth.

She seeth the loaves and fishes on the table and sitteth down to partake

of the feast. Hitherto, finding them too hot to consume, she stclf fed them

into her pockets. The young mmr~ walketh around the dwelling to where the

chairs sitteth and finally maketh hew way upstairs to the bed chambers where

she lieth d m and falleth asleep.

Straightway, the t h e e bears r e k e t h , basting a b u t the delicious

meal they w l d partale of. Varily, I say at th i s point, they became

extremely distraught, seeing the loaves and fishes had disappeared.

The bears clhketh the stairs to the bed cbbers and findeth the young

wnman, who sitteth up in bed and saith, "Get thee behind me and fret me not, lest I eateth the loaves and fishes and thou hast none. t I

- Joyce Si-

A V i s i t From St. Richolas

'IWAS the night before Graduation, when a l l through the dom, Not a creature m s stirring, not even a b h m . The caps were hmg on the chair with care, In hopes that St. Kcholas mid s m k ere. The scholars =re nestled a l l snug in their beds, While visions of dollar s- danced in their heads; And d e in her kerchie E , and I in my fool 3 cap, Had just settled our brains for a l m g m l c d nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang frcm the k d to see what was the mster. Away to the Kindm I flew like a flash, Tripped over dir ty clothes and threw up the slash. The rroon on the breast of the freshly cut: madow, Gave the luster of mid-day to objects belcrw, When, what to rrry m d e r i n g eyes m l d appear, But: a minature desk, and eight tiny executives all in their tmderwear, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, 1 hew in a mxnent: it rust k St. kich.

-

b r e rapid than mrd-processors his coursers they -. And he Iwhistled, and shouted, and called than by name; "Now, Casher ! Now Stasher ! N m Banker and Pence ! On Wallet! On Shilling! On Dollar and Yen! To the top of the office, to the top of the msic hall? Naw dash m a y ! Dash away! bash away all!" As dry sand t h a t kfme the wild trarrricane fly, When they met with an obstacle, munt to the sky. So-up to the moftop the coursers they flew. With the desk h 3 1 af office supplies, and St, Richolas, too. And then, in a minkling, I hear an the rmf, The prancing and pawing of each l i t t le black patent hoof. A s I drew in my head, and was tmnhg aromd, I h n the stairs St. Richolas carne in a b a d . He m s dressed in jams and a tank, f m his head to his bees , ARCZ his clothes were all tarnished with dirt and algea. A bundle of supplies he had flmg on his back. And he looked like a secretary just ope- his pack. Kis eyes--how they twinkled ! His dimples, hm merry ! His cheeks =re likeroses, his nose like a chew! His droll little nmuth was drawn up like a bow; And the b a r d on his chin was as m e n as the m y - p i l l o w . The s tmp of a pipe he held tight like a fine red wine, And the smoke, i t enci'rcled his head like a dollar sign. He had a broad face and a little r o d k l l y , That shook when he laughed ljJce a bowlful of shillings. He was chubby and p l q , a right jo l ly old elf. And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself, A wink of his eye and a t w i s t of his head, Soon gave me to ~ G W I had nothing to dread. He spoke not: a mrd, but mt straight to his mrk. And f i l l e d all the caps, then turned with a jerk; . And laying his finger aside of h i s nose, And giving a nod, up the stairs he rose. He sprang t o his desk, to his team gave a notion. And away they all flew like the down of inflation. But I. heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Congratulations to a l l , and to a l l a wealthy infini te.

2 - knise Davis

Goldilocks la Shakespeare

I mt not the path was dusty, Dane nature hath her best put forth! The roses fearfully on thorns did stand. Glorious i s the r i o t of the garden's color when I see a Elmer floating fast! On fmt I follow through the forest dim until a man hovel burst: upon my sight. L trow 1 hew not what man scamp could dwell here, but I shook my golden lccks and stepped jxlsi.de.

Such sights as met mine eyes within this hovel! Wooden h 1 s c r w d d m with oats upon you table ! "Villian, wherefore art thou?" " voice upon the silence hung. No answer t o my greeting; thus, I sat upon a man stml and partook of oats to my belly's fill!

Rest for my weary body came to mind, hence, I searched the caning g l m for a place of ease. No couches cam into my view. But rude Genches built of rush. I eased myself upon the nearest and became a rack of pain! This torture I could not sulxnit my body to. Thinkhg the adjoining bench could k no worse, 1 moved, therefore, upon i ts wait- seat. Norest for weary banes hereon! A -11 chair wtth runners st& waiting by an inner door and I cast my £ram there in! Ease at long last! The builder of t h i s hassock well hm his mrk! The m e r s eased me back and forth full w l l to induce a s ta te of slmkr. I enjoyed this rocking state full measure till the legs fell apart. There I sat upon the floor reflecting on Life's fleeting pleasures ! Could I but find the lout who dwells here I m u l d make m p p y his thick pate! Mine eyes fell upan a rude: stair rising at the far back of th is c h h r and 1 set forth to mt the g l m way. No candles for this dimness as I groped my way aloft! Passing the top step fumisth me stood a door. this 1 passed through into a chamber waiting with three beds of leisure for my aching bones. I cast myself upon the first falling nigh upon h e floor! Some d m derised this bed of stone. So I rmved i n t o a softer, smaller couch close by, Sinking, smothering my life away within i ts feathery folds I fought and gasped for breath. " C a d riddance" was my sentiment when I gropped forth!

The third bed s t o d alone and lonely by a shuttered window. I untied its thong and allowed the light within the c h k r frm the fading day. Perchance the gods would allow a lonely child sane needed rest thereon! I crept u p i ts snawy coverlet and f e l t i t s rightness flow into my h e s .

Hm long I slept. I have no way of hawing. My dreams m r e cleared so suddenly with the h i f e of sound! A shrill voice wa saying "She's mine! I shall keep her for m ~ r pleasure ! " Mine eyes could not k l i w e the hairy, dark beasts ! Three great, hairy, hulking b a r s whose presence blocked ny way M o w ! The windm by this bed upon which I lay yawned abve me; it's invitation beckoned into the forest free beyond! I found my flesh and bones would move so vastly faster than of yore when fright had laid her hand upon the door. I f e l l into the w a i t i n g branches of a spruce tree and sliding slowly to the forest flmr, I fled! No floating flower shall entice rw the hence forth?

- mris Brittain Hudson

Dragnet: Case of the Wolfe

Fairytale City is a b i g city and sanetimes an ugly city. But it's the beat that my partner, B i l l Canon, and I mrk. I am Sergeant Joe 'Chussday.

It was Tuesday, September 3 , 10 a.m.; B i l l and I *re assigned to the Major C r h Unit when w received a frantic call £ran a Fred P i g . It seemed P i g g had nan0wIy escaped death as his hare was destroyed.

Eleven a.m.: Asriving on the scene, Pigg infozmed us that he had received a call threatening to blow up the Pigg house. P i g had gotten the ca l l only minutes before the hwse m s arm5hilated. After telling Pigg that we wanted the £acts-- just the facts, Pigg remanbexed seeing a shady character in the vicinity of the home earlier in the day. Pigg descrikl the possible perpetrator as being a six-fmt-four rmle with a long nose, with large sharp teeth, and waring. a fur coat.

N m : As nry partner, B i l l , and I prepared to go to h.x~ch, Floyd P i s called informing us that he and his brother, Fred, had barely maaged to flee the Floyd P i g hame before it was dmmlished. It was the sane M. 0. , a phone call followed by an explosion.

kLve-thir ty p.m.: B i l l and I arrived. The h b Squad couldnk seen to find any evidence of a bamb at either sight. Witnesses managed to I. D. a similar suspicious character as before. The P i g s offered no clue as to why someme muld try to kill them.

he-thirty p.m. : Witnesses have picked wt a probable suspect frm the m g h k s . He is Bobby Wolfe, alias Big Bad Wolfe, alias Wicked Wolfe, alias Thcmas Wolfe, alias Virginia Wool£. He had a long' rap sheet and a limited imgination. Wolfe used a sophisticated sonic blasting device, his Imgs. Still ere w s no indication of his motivation.

One-forty-five p.m.: We imnediately obtained a court: order to search Bob WoLEeTs residence. We farnd bi ts and pieces of b t h the Pigg" hhomes; t~tl: had found our man. The search also m e d plans to blast Phil Pigg's Eaouse. Bill and I raced to the address.

p.m.: When VE got t o Phil Pigg's house, Wolfe was readying to b lm up the house. Welfe, saw us as we drove up and ran to the trellis on the side of the house. We ordered Wolfe to halt, but he climbed to the soof and ran across ic. I winged Wolfe, and he fell bachards crashing through the roof. Wolfe-confessed an the spot; he turned out to be nothing mre than a big bag of wind.

The m s of the people in this story have been changed to protect the innocent, but the story is m e . Fred, Floyd, and Phil P i g settled into new h a s and started a hot dog cmpany. Bob "Big Bad" Wolfe survived his fal l and is now senring ten to twenty years in the California State Prism at Folsm .after defending himself with a plea of tanporary insanity--stating, !'He was crazy about pork chops. a #

- tarry L. Woo$wafd

A typical mmirg at Jake's C w n t r y Store where a l l the locals gather around the potbellied stave to jaw, drink and play checkers. Jake's busy getting the fire going when in mlkes Andy , . .

Andy: Hey, Jake, ain't sees ya in a c m ' s age!

Jake: Well, I ' L L be--it% ken a m t h a Sundays, Andy! What brings ya back to this neck of the mods?

Andy: Kinda tired a kin' a flash-in-the-pan in the big city--reckon I'd d better off in this here one horse tm.

Jake: Yup--one Ezorse town alright--only way e m e here is at a snail's pace.

Andy: Felt like I" reached a point of no return and weren't g e t t k no younger!

Jake: Ya was still mt: kind the ears when ya left here as I recall. Andy: Yes, wren" mch past bein' h e e high to a grasshopper, but

I'm glad Z wnt to see what the hustle and bustle of big city life is like.

Jake: Wall, I learned a long t h ago the hurrier ya go the behinder ya get and the grass always looks greener on the other side any- way. Tain't true, ya haw,

M y : Tell me--haw's Blur and Bullethead? Jake: Bullethead's still a doctorin', if'n ya can call it that, but

guess wle can' t look a gift h~rse in the muth. We does his best , although he's slaw as molasses--better late than never I always say. Course old Blur tags 'long with h im and there's k e n a time or two the patient's ken dead as a doornail by the time they arrived.

Andy: Wall, guess two heads are always better'n one.

Jake : Yep--they1 re like two peas in a pod.

Andy: Guess so. Like father, like son., Anyways, how's the k m m n sisters, Milliard and Maude-- they s t i l l about?

Jake: The old grey rrrares ain't what they use t o be, kinda been a b i t under the wather lately.

h d y : my they &st k old as Erlethusalem by now?

Jake: N i g h onto ninety, I ' d say, but their minds are crystal clear. Andy: Did Mary and George ever t i e the h o t ? Jake: Sure did. George stays strung up tight as a drum ona 'count

of that job of U s . They put a new m n an down there, Freddie Slyer, and he' s givin-orge a run for his money--yep, keepin' him on his toes. But George's clever as a cat ;* he'll c m out on top. Wantin' that money! A fool and his m e y are som parted, yep! N m , Maq, she's s t i l l s i l l y as a goose, but pretty as a speckled pup.

Andy :

Jake :

Hm" ' b u t 01 ' Bill; seen him lately? Ha! B i l l , he's still the same 01' bag ot wind, Pops in here ever-y to shoot the breeze. I swear he's a brick shy of a full load--he ain't changed m e .

Andy:

Jake :

He always did have a screw loose. What can ya expect? His folks' is nutty as fruitcakes.

Yep. H b n and Sam still buddy 'rot&,--see one, ya see t h o t h e . Ya can comt an it.

ATldy :

Jake :

Tell me, whatever happened ta Jill, she got hitched to that city slicker didn' t she?

Whew! What a mess! They was hitched alright, but that no 'comt was mean as a snake, rotten to the core! They wasn't hitched no time when- he was hot to t r o t after Marion--but ya how Jill, sweeter 'n honey--she forgave him and all. Things were fine for awhile. J i l l kept sayh"'lmys will be boys." H q h ! She's blind as a bat if ya ask me! Anyways, little Miss Goody k Shoes Ellen got to makin' eyes at him and next thug ya h c m the tm of 'em had flm the coop l L e f t Jill cvin ' like a baby! Coulda told her--bud to happen--it was plain as the nose on your face--wuldnlt trust him as far as I could throw him. Never h e w what she saw in him anyways--had a face only a mother could love. Jill's still pretty as a picture though.

Andy: She always had hair softer 'n a sow% belly, and skin -the as silk. that slicker came into town and mn her in the blink of an eye. Us locals never had a chance. Can't turn back the hands of time though. What's done is done, What's Jill doin" now?

Jake : Well, I think Jack has tickled her fancy. They been steppin" out for awhile. He" really struttin' . Says he has the m r l d by the tail. Huh. I say in a cat's mcm he does. He's such a clumsy oaf--can't see past his crwn nose.

Andy :

Jake :

Ta each his uwn, 1 always say. Wall, whatever became of Luu and E l i ? Are they s t i l l scrappin'?

Does a b a r live in the m d s ? Yeah, them two are still at it! They k e fumy as a barrel of rrankeys and crazy as bedbugs ! Speak of the devil ! Mornin "s ? Look who ' s here !

b u :

Eli :

Wall, Andy, ya 01' son-of-a-gun! When did ya get in?

For cryin' out loud, Andy, I'm happy as a lark to see ya! all that city mney b m a hale in yer pocket, yet? Didn't take no wooden nickels now did ya? Naw, yer sharp as a tack, I always said !

Would ya pipe d m , E l i , and le t Andy get a word in edgewise? Dan't pay him no mind, Andy, he's still dmkr 'n a coal bucket!

E l i :

Andy :

b u :

There ya go agah, pot callin' the kettle black!

Wall, fellas like I was tellinVake here, I just . . . Ain't callin' the kettle black! Eli, tryin to talk to ya is like tryin' to talk to a brick wall! Yer stubborn as a mile.

E l i : Yeah, axld if' n ya had a brain ya V d dangerous. Jake: Come on now, fellas! Let's have a visit with Andy here! I'll

get us out a jug . . . LQU: Swnds good to TIE. I'm dry as a h e .

Eli: I 'd like to wt whistle, too. H m ' b u t you, Andy?

Andy: Ain't had no corn liquer since 1% here last--hummm--this heref-s &erin muff and bettertn taters, Jake!

E l i : I can remembgr many 's the time ya got drcaker'n a shmk with us, Andy!

Andy: Ha! Rmmka: the evenin' we g ~ t roarin' dnmk and m n t in Miss Travis"= ship? We's like bulls in a china shop! She was mad as a mt hen! Ha! No ham dme though, When she started callin' for the sheriff, we got m t t a there fast as lightnin' !

E l i : Wall, tell us Andy, did ya mke a W l e up there in the city this time? Guess ya made hay while the sun was a shimin'?

bu: If'n ya had a brain, yatd be danger-, Eli--ya had no call to ask Andy that! Ain't tone of yuur business!

Andy: That's okay, Lou, as a mtter of fact . . . E l i : Ya. make me hotter'n a firecracker, LQU! Ya like t o think yer

wise as rn ml--but ya aink--yer older'n dirt, yer hair's white as snow and yer brain is damp as the dew!

h: Yer t!ae one dull as a £roe, E l i ! I'm f i t as a fiddle and quick as a wink!

Andy: (aside to Jake) I see what ya mean. They haven't changed a bit !

Bill: 'Momin', Jake. Hotter'n he11 already this momin'. Hey, Lw, E l i . I swear, if'n it aink 01' Andy! How's ya doin' fella?

Andy: Sure glad to see ya, Bill, I t s just askin' Jake here ' b u t ya. Yer a sight feu sore eyes!

Bill : Haw's the mrld been treatin' ya, lately?

Andy: Wall, been writin' up a stom. But had to face facts--all mrk and no play makes for a dull life. Anyway's, I ain't got the Midas touch, so's the dough wexen? t o l l i n Y n . Thought I ' d come back and settle down--maybe 1'11 find a trade of same kind.

Bill: Don't get down. Scmethirg may cme komd the bend. Wall, I best shake a leg and get an down to the m i l l . See ya later!

b u and Eli have begun a game of checkers, still swigging £ran the jug.

Jake: (to Andy) Ya nwer got hitched, did ya?

M y ; Naw, after that slicker took Jill, 1 p l d lost interest, but stepped out with a few the past couple o' years. A h s t got hitched once, to a city gall--she was cute as a button, but

caught her sneakirn' '& an me. Just goes to show ya, shouldn't judge a k k by i ts cover. I was sick as a dog over it fer awhile, but I think I learned my lesson wen if'n ya can't teach an old dog new teicks! Fel t like I came aut smellin like a skunk, but oil and water don? mix--so guess it's fer the best.

Jake : That k too bad Andy, but that ' s the way the cookie crumbles s c m - times.

Im: E l i w l d ya mike yer mve? Yer slw as a turtle!

Eli: I'll take that like water off a duck's hack and jtlmp yer queen! Now I suppose yer swift as a deer, huh?

Zw: A body needs the patience of Job ' round ya E l i !

Eli: Go fly a kite if" ya ain't gonna m e !

Lnu: Hold yer taters E l i . Yer wild as a March hare! See! I ' m quick as a w i n k ! Yer m e , Go an!

Eli: Shush! A watched pot nwer boils! Haste makes waste and E a h to win this 'n.

Lou: Win a few--loose a few. Make yer nmve fer cryin' out loud!

Eli: If'n ya don't like it, lmp it!

Milliard and Maude c m slipping in.

Jake : Ladies. What can I get fer ya?

Milliard : Where ' s the beef, Jake? Jake: Here " t i i s . Just arrived. Try it. Ya'll like it.

Maude: k s t get sane apples M i l . Ya know an apple a day keeps the doctor =Y 4

Milliard: Sure 'nu€£ and an onion a day will keep everyone away! Ha!

Maude: Why, kiss my grits! It's Andy! Andy, ya 01' meetheart! Tell me my o l b y e s aren't Emlint m! Use to have the eyes of an eagle !

Andy: Howdy, Miss Maude. Yer st i l l lookinYresh as a new rr&rwn hay! Give me a hug!

Milliard: Wall, bless nry soul! It is Andy! Figured ya" donne £ergot us. G u t of sight, out of mind, ya hm.

Andy: Me ferget my two favorite girls in a l l the wrld! Not on yer l i fe !

Maude: Are ya back to stay, Andy?

M y : Sure am m' am--been barkin' up the wrong tree.

Maude: I'm glad to hear it. Yer the salt of the earth and we need ya here, Andy!

Milliard: Just tickled pink to M e ya back, h d y . C a m out to see us real soon now, ya hear?

8

M y : I will--in the cml of the evenin"-1 still get hot as a cook's k l t buckle here, huh?

Milliard and Maude gather up their purchases and leave.

Andy-: They're sawthin" a h ' t they? S t i l l light as a feather on their feet. Fresh as daisies.

Jake: Yep, they are. lnoks l ike its ganna rain cats and dogs any minute, blackr 'n the ace of spades out there. Just listen to those two--they're at it again!

hu: M e , gall dang it--Eli--ya never do nothin' today that ya can put off 'ti1 tmrrm, but I ain't aimin' to set here all day and night !

E l i : I told ya a million times, don't exaggerate Lou!

Lou: Yer n e w as a long tai l cat in a man full of rocking chairs, Eli. Get on with the game, ya olkcoot l

Eli: People who live in glass houses shouldn't thruw stones, ya hm! Lou: That ' s the breaks. When did ya make that mwe? Yer cheatin' !

E l i : Ain't! Ain't! My hand's quicker'n the eye! I'm moseh out of here ! Call me a cheat !

Lnu: Go ahead, make my day! I mn fair and square and ya m e m four bits !

E l i : 'Wall, dan't comt yer chickens 'fore they hatch! Yer the one th' t cheated! Yer head's as f l a t as yer feet--flat as pancakes !

h: That ' s what X like ' b u t ya, Eli--a friend--a true blue friend! E l i : Says you and who else? Yeu brain's gone soft as a kitten",

ya 01 "nmk!

Lou: I'm stone cold sober and I beat the pants off of ya!

E l i : I ' m s t i l l makin' footprints in the sands of time and I'm makin' footprints out of here! D o n 9 care ii'n I never see ya again!

Jake: Now hold on fellas! Don't go bumin' yer bridges behind ya! Yer been friends too lmg!

h d y : Birds of a feather flock together, ya how!

~ou: Whatever will be, w i l l be! E l i : Yep, that's life!

b u and Eli shuffle out.

Andy: ~an't reckon they'll ever change. They're two of a kind! Jake: Why, they ain't got sense enough to get in autta th$ rain! Say

Andy, I ' m hmgry enough to eat a horse. Mhat say w go d m to the Djrrner Bell for a bite? Or m l d ya rather the Tea Shop? Fa!

Andy: Six of me and half a dozen of the other, 1 guess! Ha!

9 - Judith J o h m

Puns

Monster's Breakfast

Screm of wheat

Ghost toasties w i t h b m berries Roached eggs or poached legs

Chipped teeth on toad's coif in cake

Arms juice

- Cindy Miller

7

t-'

Musical Misery

Hi, my n m ~ is clef. Things had been m g h lately. I wasn't on good terms with my girlfriend, Viola. Viola said she was tired of playing second fiddle to any new gir l I met. Viola accused me of being bass. We broke up, sa I gave a xylophone call to a precocious tnrmpet named Clara Net. Clara went for a guy with lots of f lute , so I told her to piccolo cut , sexy dress to mar to the fanciest place in town, thrmafew' s Bar.

I had a few drinks, but I drank slm so I w l d n ' t : make a bassoon of myself. But I have to admit that when Clara got there, 1 had only one thmg on my mind--sax. She looked gorgeous. I was dressed in rrry tux and wearing my d i m d cuff links--cymbals of my m l t h . I knew I ha$ to B sharp t o m Clara.

D h e r went well, and I invited Clara hcme. That k dm~ whene evening stmck a sour note. When w got ta Apartment C (my hoae) , Viola was waiting on m. I had forgotten Viola had the key of C. "#"I said to myself, "You're in treble, Clef. "

I started mndering how to guitar and feathers off my M y because V i o l a is a wildcat when she's md. Viola exploded in rage, hocked out Clara, and bashed in my brand new Wurlitzer k fore she stormed out t he door. T u b sure, 1 learned a lesson about playing around on a jealous m n ; it's a g o d way to get your organ broken.

- Larry L. Woodward

The Three: Little Pigs

How's a Wolf to Make a Living These Days?

Once upon a tine there were three l i t t l e pigs who lived on a pig sty with a l o t of other bores, pigle ts and s m s . These three l i t t l e pigs =re kcaning very d p p y with thei r ovexcrcrwed living conditions. So me day they went to see their local loan company which was m e d and operated by Mr. Loan Wlf . They negotiated a loan to build three houses. M r . Wolf set up a plan for than to pay him back a bushel of corn apiece at the md of each mnth for a year to pay back the loan. He clacked his teeth with glee as the pigs danced out of his den, happy that they could f inally have access t o the Great Barnyard Dream and crwn the-ir m hme.

Now, one of the foolish pigs got to thinking that he could eat part of the corn and buy cheaper materials to build his house, but he got kind of carried away and made a complete h m of himself, eating up most of the corn. lucky for him there was a straw stand just down the road that sold straw a t a very cheap price. So he h g h t s m e and put up his house quicker than you can say ' that pig 's got a curly tail. '

In the meantime his other foolish brother, being not qui te the hog as himself, had also eatm same of his corn and had found a goo$ deal on scme sticks. So, he hilt for himself a cute l i t t l e stick house.

Upon completion of their t m hcmes, the two foolish brothers decided t o throw a wild barnyard bash for a l l their party animal friends with the remaining allotment of corn.

The oldest l i t t le pig, king smarter, mre practical, and a harder worker than his twr, brothers, decided to build a brick housebecause it seemed to hirn the most cost effective.

Well, the sumrzer passed rather u~zemtful ly . The oldest pig planted his corn and wrked very hard while his brothers played and danced the s m r away in a l l the o i d q t&, and singing 'Vho 's Afraid of the Big b a n Wolf?"

Soon it was t i m for M r . W to collect his corn. H e sent his corn collector, M r . Harrasspr Badges, to get the corn. But after Mr. Badger had returned several t w s empty handed, Mr. W became very steamed. '7 jus t can't kl ieve those l i t t l e squealers," puffed Mr. Wolf. "I loaned them corn when no one else would and this is the way they pay back my kindness. b k s like I'm going to have t o go collect f r o m those porkers myself or else blow their buses d m . "

So off he went, grumbling a l l the way a b u t how hard it was getting by just t o make a resplendant living. He came first to the straw house. The l i t t l e p i g saw him shuffling up the road and hid under his bed. M r . W pounded on the door and b l e d , "Little pig , l i t t l e pig, let me come in, It's time to cough up the corn. 11

"No, no, no, not by the hair of my chimy, chin-chin, I will not let you in. I can't pay you yet because your interest rate is too steep. l m

"h I Y 1 huff and puff and blmyour house dm." So he huffed and plffed and blew d m the straw house. The l i t t le pig was so embarrassed he didn't knm t h t : to say. He was gnntless. Sa he ran to tell his brothers that Mr. W was on the warpath and they were a b u t to be re-located. He reached the stick house just as his brother was gett ing ready to go t o the barn dance. The Honk Tones were playing there and they were his favor i te goose group. They played the old time goose msic like nobody's business. Upon hearing the news of the approaching whirlwind, he imnediately headed for the pantry. There was nothing like a crisis to bring out the hog in him. Mr. W pounded on the door. "Little pig, little pig, l e t me cam in. It's time to cough up the corn. I t

"'No, no, no, mt by the hair of nry chimy, chin-chin. L can' t pay you n m because your interest rate is too steep. !I

"Then I ' l l huff and puff and b l m your h e down." So he huffed and puffed and blew the stick h e d m . The l i t t l e pig was so choked up, (he'd jus t tried to swallm a whole apple without chewing it up and it was stuck half way a t of his mouth) that he began t o cry big pig tears. The tm very remrseful little pigs hoofed it an aver to their brother1 s house as f a s t as their short legs could cam them.

"'Brother, brother," they grunted, "you nust help us, Mr. Wolf has just: b l m d m our houses a d we've no place to go."

Well, this little pig was not only practical, thrifty, and a hard worker, ht he had the biggest pig heart in the whole world. Besides he wasn't worried about Mr. W because he'd Wen paying back his corn a11 along. "Caw on in and join us," he said. His twu brothers lifted their snouts and srnelled pickled corn and pig chow and forgot all their problem. They were like that. To their mmt, when they entered the house they saw a l l t h e i r friends frm the pig sty they'd left, Their brother said that M r . W had m g e d to get their s t y condmed and everyone had moved into his house.

When Mr. Wolf arrived a t the brick h e , and in his rage kgan huffing and puffing, al l the bores, sows, and piglets came running out with tar and feathers and chased old Mr. Wolf away. He was never seen again and all the pigs lived happily.ever d t e r in the little brick house.

- Sheila H o l m

Word Improvisations

Cents - Scents - Since - Sense

Since I have enough sense to hm I have mwgh cents

To buy the scents I want

It muld be senseless to buy sane other scents and since

I've not- else to do 1' 11 take rcy cents and buy these scents. They are such nice scents

And only cost a few cents, therefore, I'm using good sense

In buying these scents since Ike had No scents like them since years ago.

I've saved these cents since I can remanber

Sa it's only gmd sense that I buy the scents I want. No sense in spending my cents for scents I don't like

Since the scents I l ike have been available since last mek. What sense does it make t o buy unwanted scents

Which leave me senseless since I sense I have enough Cents and c m sense to purchase the desired scents !

And since when do you have enough sense

To tell me I dm" have enough cents or sense to buy the scents

Or that I mn? like these scents

Since you h u w nothing About h m my senses operate?

- Joyce S i w n

Ants and Aunts

The younger b y with the hair that matched the sand in the box that

both he and the darker haired bywereplaying in, began shaveling small hmps of sand into his timy circus designed bucket. The dark-haired boy kcam

friendly with his companion. '"11 of my aunts are at my house. My amts

sure are mkbg a mess, but &rn and Dad don't seem to mina the mess that

my aunts makes. t t

The other boy joins in. "Boy, are you lucky. I get fussed at for the

mss my ants mks. I'

'nWeP1, that don't seem right. Just hm m y aunts do you bave?"in-

quire$ the older b y .

"'I have eight ants now. 1 did have -1- ants, but four ants died.

--all the same wek. t t repl ied the light haired bay. "How many ants do you

have?fit

"1 have only five amts. I bet your parents were really upset with

your aunts dying like that?"

S t i l l filling the bucket full of sand the yotnager b y looked up and

said while scratchmg his head, "No, they were really, really happy over

the deaths of my ants. They never did like my ants anyway. And out of the

twelve ants, those f a r ants were the mssiest .I' Shocked, the other boy inquired, 'What type of amts did you have?"

'Dh, the usualy red and black ants."

- M s e Davis

Mate and Mate: A Misunderstanding

This is a dialogue between a dizzy cheerleader and her dense quarterback boyfriend.

Susie: You how Frank, you can search y w r whole life for your mate.

Frank :

Sus ie :

Frank:

Frank:

Sus ie :

Frank: Susie :

Frank :

Sus ie :

Frank:

I know Susie. I have been searching s k e 1 was fifteen.

Frank, isn't that a bit yo- to be so interested in finding your mate?

Not really, not when you lost it sornewhere between your bedroan and the clothes dryer.

Frank, you lost your mte? Why did you take your mate to the clothes dryer?

Because f had to wash it.

FRANK! It really isn' t very nice to call you mte an '"it" !

What wuld you call it?

W ell, a ' specimen of passim' muld do. nicely.

Hurmm . . . Susie . . . I was rather fond of my sock, but a ' s p e c h ~ n of passion' is going a b i t too far.

Your S K K ! What has your sock got to do with finding your mite? It has everything to do with finding my mate. I lost one 02 ny lucky gme socks and I 've k e n looking for it every since !

- Mary Jo Spencer

(Somewhere's)

Sm'eers, byand Life's short, sweet s m r Where plays a violin and beats a dnmmer Oft I hear this melody in Earth" Silence It whispers only in Peace; never violence The beauty of this m i c is divine! I long to draw it around me, my hand in Thine.

Sm'ers, far k y m d the sky of cobalt blue, Where m l y dreams and hopes will a11 caw true, There's no more snarling wolf at our b r . Sm'ers we shall walk in Peace on Heaven' s floor, Where all happy m r i e s and thoughts remain, C a n w but only this fa i r entrance gain!

Beasts of burden will a11 have gone to rest, Frm Earth taken only true and best. Scm'ers, beyond foul wather's stain; Bestowed on Satan mortal % pain! Sm'ers , at real Beautyf s source; None stray frm Lnve ' s freedun course.

Sm'ers, at the R a i n h ' s end, Please met me there, Sweet friend.

- Doris Hudson

Nonsense Pome

What's r i t e by thee my deaflay friend? The watchful swones sway soon- It's nothing b u t an ambeyrast Where rests the empty spoon.

The tears are craid. The words are s ighed, The absinthe fills the void. While dithyrambs with charrod tongues Are sung of l i f e enjoyed.

The t y r o waits the messhuggener stands Like Rimbaud in the r a i n . Come by conflugle confluse awhile We're waiting f o r Vealaine,

What's r i t e by thee my deaf l ay f r i e n d A jerst a weight a roan It's noth ing b u t a wiring t i e Where rests the empty spoon?

- John Oxford

The Mess

Zed checked the cornsight on his laze. He was a class sin--expensive, but worth it, Zed muld laze arry vic; he wasn't: afraid of the vic's stat or salrate. He had zapped Prezes , trolers, chairs, manges, and men other sins. But, this zap made him uncdortable sanehaw.

This vic was special, and it had cost the client quite a few diges £ran his salrate. This vic was Omega, a self-proclaimed second coming of the Mess, Zed had listened to his evangings, and (though he hated to admit) the wrds had touched him deeply.

h g a had evanged about love, peace, and the understanding of mt life means. But, biz is biz, and a vic is a vic. Zed had followed the Mess £ran p r w to prw and hew h g a wuld get to the tel across the street in the next thirty CXnega muld arrive via micar frm the prov shuttleport.

As the time passed, Zed rrnrsed over the possibility that hega was who he claimed t o be, He d e r e d why it had ken manges and religes that had ordered this laze. What d i f did it make i f b g a stirred up the corns a b i t and mde them a little happier? The ccxns had no p a x . The pcrwer was in the hands of the Prezes and the trolers. The min evanges and religes had the rest of the mrld in their h ip pocket. So, why did Zed get a gut feeling there muld be trouble aver this?

Finally, W g a arrived. Zed heard the mica r set d m in the plaz. The hrrmnjng of the pulse-jets hamering the ground caught Zed's ear. Zed popped an alert so he'd be mre on top of thugs. Zed a- his M g a , and the c m i g h t flashed ""centered.'Yed didn't always enjoy his mrk, but he truly hated this job. He pulled the trigger, and the consight signaled "hit ." But, Cknega s t i l l stood. Zed lazed h i m three mre times; h g a only looked up and smiled at Zed.

Zed sat--anxiously anticipating the future. He gave serious thought t o becaming an Cknegan.

Larry L. Woodward

Conversation overheard in the kitchen between two parents talking about the o l d family car that's seen better days . , . m: Dad :

Mull:

Dad :

M:

Dad :

Mall:

Dad :

M: Dad: Man: Dad :

Dad :

Harold, when I was caning h the car was maki- a noise. I 1 What do you man, dear, a noise"?

Well it sounded like "Choozie . . . Chmziemr'

where was it coming fran? The car, s i l ly!

I man where on the car? The h t ? The back? Ttre engine?

The middle.

The middle?

-Yes, when I would stop, it s d e d like it ms under m. Give the keys to me. Whatever it is, S have to drive Marla to piano a t 4: 30.

Nadine, if the car is giving trouble, you can' t take it. Drive ny car or Gina ' s . Gina, I need to ban your car. Y o u r father hm I can" drive a straight drive!

You need to learn. You are fifty-two years old--an intelligent m, yet you r e b e to learn h m to drive a stick!

Dad goes o u t s i d e : Mother continues ta lk ing to herself,

M: I used to be able to drive a straight drive, when I was nineteen and got rrry first car! I r was some kind of Chevy, I think, bright blue: Back then, not everyone had cars--while I was in college. I mrked as a waitress and in one year 1 earned . . .

I stopped listening a t t h i s point . I ' ve heard it a11 before. She knew I was lispening and she was t r y i n g to g i v e me advice on f i n d i n g a job.

I went out s ide w i t h Dad. I ' v e never been good a t working on cars and don ' t i n t e n d to become good, but tha t day , I gave it my f u l l attention.

- Gina Fisher

Conversation between t w o obese men which was overheard at t he -t

Nakung Restaurant . . . k * - Stouter m: I saw Dan the o b s day. He had got himself in one of them

tanning bmths. He was gold. Did you ever go in one of them *

th ings ? - Leaner man : No. 2

Stouter m; Dan wasn' t tan. He just had a golden glm a coming off him. a

20

Conversation overheard in an alley . . . Arkansas Kid: Today I am fifty-six years old.

Eddie Wildfire: Who cares? Arkansas E d :

J.D. : Arkansas Kid:

Eddie Wildfire:

Arkansas Kid:

J .D. :

Arkansas Kid:

Eddie Wildfire :

Arkansas Kid:

Eddie Wildfire:

J . D . :

Eddie Wildfire :

Arkansas Kid:

Me:

Yessis, I've cheated G a l d the devi l wt of fifty-six years . You ever been married?

Took a wife once, she wasn't mine but I took her. You can t a b what I got in my hip w k e t if you warma. Gimne a dollar.

1 9 1 give you hell and call it a dollar .

Cops! No, it's ahright.

Cops don" scare me. When I was younger I used to k so fast. They tr ied t o irrvent bullets with hinges ort 'em so they could shoot m g o h 'round corners. They called me The Shadow.

Yeah and n m they jus t call you Old Fart. Haw old did you say you was today?

Fif ty-six . A £if ty-six year old black fart.

Gotta go.

Me, too. C m h g with you,

Fifty-six years old. Wama 'norher drink?

Yeah.

Setting:

Overheard conversation at Burger Jhng . . . Scene :

A birthday party for pre-schmlers.

Characters :

E v i l brm: Wcr~lan dressed as a witch in a cost- that suspiciously resdles a satanic Raggedy Ann. Calls herself the Wicked Witch of the West .

Clown: W m dressed as a c l m who calls herself the Cbud Witch of the South.

L i t t l e Girl: Who does not have a fear of falling, but rather of gett ing UP m

Little boy: An early glutton.

Kids: Various types and sizes of everyday screaming.

C l a m : Now boys and girls you remember me, don't you? I'm the Gmd Witch of the South and I'm here to make Bryan's birthday wishes come true!

Kids: (Screaming at the tap of t h e i r Lungs t o make sure t h a t each and every voice is h e a r d ) Yea-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!

E l : Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! And I h o w you remember m, too! I'm the Wicked Witch of the West!

(Screams of terror arise from t he srampeding youngsters,)

Little Girl : Mom, is that really the bad witch?

Evil Arm: (Drowning our the answer t h e high pitched voice of t h e clown who has d e l u s i o n s of being t h e Good Witch caf 1s o u t ) Who wants free french fries?

(As expected, a mad rush for the clown occurs. In t h e process the L i t t l e G i r l is knocked down. ) . Little Girl: Oops! I f a l l down. That h u r t !

(She then t a k e s on t h e c lass ic pout ing s tance and haughtily proclaims)

I ' m not going to get back up! (As t h e noise dies down to t h e sounds of slurping and smacking lips, a lone voice is heard in t h e distance.)

Little Boy: M s . bod Witch, I don" have a hamburger!

Richard Cory

by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory tent downtown, We people on the pawmnt looked a t b; He m s a gentleman f ran sole to c r m , Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And k w s always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he f lu t tered pulses when he said, '"-mom," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich--yes, richer than a king-- And admirably schwled in every grace: In f ine, WE thought that he was everything To make us wish that w e were in his place.

So on we mrked, and waited for the light, bnd went wtthous the meat, and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory, one calm surrmer night, W e n t ham and put a bul le t through his head.

Richard Cory

by Paul S i n m

With Apologies to E. A , Robinson

They say that Richard Cory m One half of this old t m , With political connections To spread his malth around. Born into Society, A kke r ' s only child, He had everythiw a rn could want : Power, grace, and style.

Refrain : But I, I mrk in his factory And I curse the Life I'm livin' And I curse my poverty And I wish that I could be Oh I wish that I could be Oh, I wish that I could be Pichard Cory.

The papers print his picture A h s t everywhere he goes : Richard Cory at the opera, Richard Cory at .a show, And the rumor of his parties An$ his orgies on his yacht-- Oh he surely must be happy With everything he's got.

Refrain

He freely gave to charity, He had the comnon touch, And they were grateful for his patronage, h d they thanked him very mch, So mp mind was f i l l ed with wonder When the evening headlines read: "Richard Cory went haw last night And put a bullet through his head. "

Refrain

- "Richard Cory," by Paul S h

-right: 1966 Charing Cross Music, me.

Richard Cory - 1980

I'm sure you've heard of Richard Cory A Texas billionaire rancher ' s son, The Cattle King of a dynasty, A high- fallutin' son-of -a-grm.

In fancy clothes, shiny boots and Cadillacs, He flashed aromd tm. "'Wonder: what he's about?" w =asked. Those in the h m , kept it all d m .

No par t of his lifestyle, A secret could he keep. Every wman and man of us, H i s privacy did reap.

Which new love, did he Conquer last night? Your wife, or mine? Dm' t scoff, he might !

We drove his cattle, And broke his broncs, Getting blisters and saddle sores, For alms t naught.

H m e all envied him, The man of the b u r . Jetting here and there, For d b r , or just a shower,

Whatever he wanted, He was one to take, But generws to the poor, It's hard to make.

He had the Midas touch, frm His fingers gold seerned to flow. But his self-imposed demise Came to all of us a blow!

- Judith Sohson

Richard Cory

What Price Pay You?

Richard Cory was barn to leisure To a life of wealth and ease He was born to m the finest To do with as he pleased.

He was Haward educated Wmt abroad for schooling, too Had the best that l ife could offer E m knew the Golden Rule.

For he was generous with his money Gave t o those who were in need His name was held in honor By the largest charities.

He'd go yachting with the j e t set Fly to Spain or Paris town And the cars that he was seen in Were the fastest: ones a r m d ,

He awned the largest corporations Owned the finest tailor-made s Ormed real estate a d houses But peace of mind was what he paid.

He was restless, he was r u m h g No contenmt anmere Richard C o r y fell a victim To the culprit called despair.

He saw no hope nor answers. To the l ife style he'd begum Richard Cory played the mrld's game h d pulled the trigger of a gm.

- Joyce Signon

Richard Cory

Richard Cory, oh, what a .guy! He lived and he learned just as you and I. He was driven around in his high priced luxury; A s fine as the finest on the show "Dynasty."

As he passed the ladies, he .gave them n smile; They m e d and they mmmed at all of his style.

He was decked wt in "'Oscar" and the smell of "Lauren. 1t

dn$ he seemed to have it all-- by the h a i r of his chirny chin chin.

People around looked and they stared at Richard and al l of his high classed flair.

He was happy they say--but what do they hm--They worked for him and let their angered jealousy show.

For strange as it is, Richard Cory had a dread; that's why he put a loaded gun t o his head.

- Mary Jo Spencer

Richard C o r y

Richard Cory had it a l l A Harvard grad, sleek and tall.

He never worked, he lived m the beach. His dad was a doctor, a big city leech.

He owned a Caddie, a Porshe, too! His house was a rrransion and he had girls by the slew.

Emried by all, but: trusted by m e , Richard Cory was the m n who had m y just for b!

One windy night that tore at the tide Party noises from the m i o n barely audible outside.

Richard Cory s t d in the dark by his bed, And in the silence of his mind put: a bullet in his head.

- Dorrna H a m

Richard Corp

He lives behind the lifeless gates. See the glassy impersonal film over his eyes , He does not understand silence and yet When he speaks, he says nothing. He wants to grind my personality wt of me And make TW part of the mchine. But I want to search for meaning in ny l ife And h doing this my life may end in madness. But the slm death of mdness where all Perception is lost is better than perceiving The t o m r e of a life with no meaning. He either can' t or +mi' t arouse himself for the Early mming truth he bows is out there. H i s clwn final violation is when he acts the part of the aging politician or prostitute, Reduced to grotesque antics. The windows of his mind is cwered with Thick black curtains as for death.

Richard Cory

Are you the yo- executive

With the house on top of the hill

And the fancy new sports car?

Are you the one with m y aqtlaintances to surround yourself with on w e k d nights? And yet with a l l the things you possess there still seems to be sawthing missing?

Well, I have just what you need to c q l e t e your desirable lifestyle - The all new Richard Cory.

(hold out the gun)

- Denise Davis

Narratives and P o r n

Black Beard and Billy

The log cabin's rmf s o m d d as it was being pelted with tiny rocks as the rain fell vpon it. The secluded cabin was heated by a warm roaring fireplace. It was the Walden Thoreau wrote of,

Character 1 :

Billy was excited a b u t the hunting trip t o the north woods. Billy was an experienced b t e r , but this wasn' t jus t any old hunting t r i p . This was his first solo trip, And this trip was not to just any old cabin, but to the cabin &ch his grandfather had told him so m y enchanting stories about. Yes, for the next few days there muld be no Billy--young college student, no mre Billy-the-Respansible, mEy Billy-the-outdoorsman.

Character 2 :

Billy had just finished his supper of fresh water trout and had started gett ing wrapped up in a h k , when a l l of a sudden he thought he heard a noise outside. He found out that king alone in the m d s wasnk always h. He listened quietly as his mind Wgined a l l kinds of horrible creatures waiting outside the door. He heard whimpering. So Billy decided he had waited long enough, so armed with his t r u s t y rifle and flashlight he carefully inched open the door. There waiting for him he f d a puppy. The puppy's sight leg was caught in a steel bear trap, Billy, feeling great: sympathy for the dog, forgot that sometimes injured dogs unduly attack; he pried open the trap.

Action - The Plot Thickens : Billy knew the leg would have to go, so he drew his razor-sharp M e

knife and slashed off the dog" leg. The dog lashed out and bit Bil ly in the jugular. Bi l ly started to bleed profusely. S m they both lay on the f loor passed out from pain. When Billy cane to, he realized t h a t he was wrong in cutting, off the dog" leg, so he nade the dog a peg leg and named him Black Beard. The two had lots of fun together and B i l l y loved to hear the dog run to him--step, step, step, clmp . . . step, step, step, clomp!

Resolution:

Black Beard and ' Billy were great friends and lived long and happy together. But as a l l t r u e loves must end, so did this one. Billy died of old age and soon after that Black Beard died of loneliness. And it has been said, that to this day when the woods are very quiet, me can still hear Black Beard's step, step, step,--clanp.

- Steve Stroup, Jr. (with help from the Creative Writing Class)

Ghostly Image Weeping

M y soul is ape, With only a vague ghostly image fading in and out.

Is there any chance of me seeing the spirit that evades me?

Angry with the present, Reluctant to face the past and the amtiom attached to it,

I'm alone, alienated,

b s t in a mrld of millions of mmingless d l i n g faces,

Unsure, insecure about a being who may or m y not exist,

Pain invades my a M m n as anxiety grows. What will home be like nm?

Tears flow fm my eyes--

Eyes that long to tell the truth and can't. C l i n g i n g only to the hope that I 'd go too, I endure all .

She cheated me ;

She p r d s e d she wouldn't go withorrt me.

Hate, despair, 'love, regret swirl through sny sanity,

Mentally cringing, I ' m overwhehd by the cmplexity of sensations.

Through the dirt of the sacred ground,

Red clay earth she played in as a girl,

I want to claw my way to her,

To see her one last time.

Defeated, tired, helpless--

I can do nothing n m but wait.

My soul is empty,

With d y a vague ghostly image . . . weping.

- Larry Woodward

What Shall Become of Me?

What shall become of me a f t e r 1 d i e ?

Will I become a s t a r in the midnight sky,

Glimmering, s h i m e v i n g oh so bright,

Lighting up t h e otherwise dark dismal n i g h t . Or into a rainbow will 1 transcend,

Magically having no beginning or end.

Or maybe I shall become a thunder cloud, Rumbling, trumpeting, crashing so loud.

Or maybe I will j u s t become p a r t of the e a r t h ,

Ushering in a terror r e b i r t h .

Shall I become a part of the cosmic tapestry? 1 hope only t o be a p a r t of nature's magesty.

- Steve Stroup, Jr.

The Stranger

Who is this stranger? Crisp tan clothes. My mother seems to h m him.

He speaks with an mecognizable voice. Is he talking to me? I understand

s u w o f the mrds he uses--love, hme, son. Then I hear the name my mther

calls me--my m. He said ny name. Is he speaking to me now? I'm &ly

a kid. I don" tm mch, but I hm my name. Re" saying my name. I'm

not sure if he" sayifig it to me or st i l l speaking only to my mther. X don't think staring at him w l d be a good idea. You how haw s a w grm-

ups are. You can pay attention t o than or pay them no mind, but it seems

they can't restrain themselves £ram picking up a cute kid. Some of them

talk kind of furmy, too--when they're holding you. But this guy, I just

don't or can't hear anything laughable about him. I'm going to find my grandfather . . .

Uh-oh , . . too slow. Airborne again in the a m of a stranger.

Perhaps, an intruder. Finally, here I am. Face to face with the rrysterious

interlopes--here it comes, slobbering adult baby talk! Why do they do tha t ?

No &er it takes kids so long to learn how to pronounce wrds correctly. This guy's pretty strong. Or maybe he j u s t holds me in a way that my

grandfather doesn ' t . I feel the muscles in myr 'back stiffen and tighten with me trying t o

lean back away from him. His breath smells sweet and thick like my mther's

pear preserves. He is now sharing his conversation, speaking to my rather,

then to me. lsnrolving us both, he's splitting sentences and even words

between us. I understand sane of the mrds he uses . . . son, lave, hcrme. Yet he st i l l speaks with an unreco@zable voice.

- J o h Oxford

Nursery Rhyme Blues

Singing nursery rhymes to a child of two I have learned that s a w still. hold true. Jack falls dawn wery time I f i x a f la t ! The b i l l s come tumbling after that!

Georgie Porgie kisses girls, Hear the girlish laughter? Why mst boys forever play? What happened to "'Lived happily ever after"? The dish won't nm away with the spoon, The dishwasher' s hll , so is the rn l Jack Sprat still eats no fat, nor does the wife, She don't buy it! All the pigs today are lean, They're on a high protein dtet! Old Tom is s t i l l the Piper k s m But " p i g s ' 9 d a y carry a gun! Jack must 6e nimble and be quick, For a light at night that's not a candlestick! hey% pcket can't k found Wrapped with ribbon a l l around ! Pockets , now, are Fn blue j e m . Lace and ribban? Dan? t man! Call the "cat" 'and the f iddle for a "Hey, diddle diddle. " The "cat'%s herpes, he pawned the fiddle When the dish was empty and the s p m ~ ~ was bent! The m n has been " touched 'hd I am "spent.'"

Bo Peep is ncw a little grill They serve sheep on a windowsill! Mary's Lamb served on a plate! Poor lamb! What a fate! A dillax, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar Ten a,m. or noon? A ten o'clock scholar may not be late! Ten p.m. may fit his m e ! b y Blue in the Navy earns curds and whey Boy's horn interferes with satellite today! Miss Wfit don' t "tough it" when the spider is beside her;

She gets out her can of '"bug spray''! The haystack ncm is a thing of the past, Gone the way of the Cobbler" 'Qast". The crooked man on the crooked style Incarcerated Crmked "cat ' "le Crmked house with crooked muse b i d e Has ken condemned, Nationwide! 'The Crooked sixpence n m is found In back accounts the mrld around!

Ding b n g , W13! Pussie in the mil? Piped water everywhere! chlorine smlls! Sing a song of sjxpence, I drank up all the rye! The king don' t eat blackbirds

But pizza on the s l y ? The queen is on a diet!

She can't eat bread and honey! A mid in a garden? She% s t earning m e y .

The queen of hearts nm rents the "tarts" She hires most every day! She applied for a 'Mastercard" ; The knave of hearts won ' t pay ! hssy Cat, Pussy Cat, *ere have you been? To Washington, t o interview the President! Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, what did you there? I found an old actor in the President ' s chair !

As I Close the Door

One mre look before I close the door, Pieces of the past lay abandoned on the floor. Recollections of rosey faces sitting By t h a t window--&awing that picture Nm cnsnpled, rmw left behind as I check

Before 1 close the doar.

There in the dust, a tisly doll Over by the w a l l , a small cmb. Just disconnected m r i e s I leave behind

As I close the door.

Empty rmns echo the past Bare walls whisper sweet words o f m d e r from mll young lips--they whisper,

As I close the door.

Faint reminders of laughter and little girl's squeals And strange regret stirring within For too short a tine calmness reigned But then the storm set in, a d now I kick a t a tom curtain in my way

Before I cLose the door.

N m b fingers tighten arotmd the doorknob My eyes record a picture that resembles The aftermath of a harsh wind As I turn to go

h d then, I close the dmr.

- Sheila Holman

Beach Odyssey No. 3

I hated l iving in San Francisco. It was almost always dreav, damp,

cold and foggy. One year I wrote on my calendar what each day % sather

was. A t the end of that year, I counted d y nine s m y days, I could really relate to Mark Twain's statement, 'The coldest winter I wer spent was 'a

s m r in San Francisco.

My husband worked wery day. That, plus the unpleasant weather, was

very depressing. To cheer uyself up, 1 decided to drive south wery Sunday

to look for a warm kach. I ' d p i l e all four of ny children in the station

wagon and off m ' d go with the map, toys and lmches down the coast highway

in search of f31e perfect beach. My oldest child was six; the youngest was

about six months old, Although they cwldn't help with map reading, the

oldest M, Marion and William (when not fighting), kept their eyes searching

for any kach signs.

We (except Bernie, the baby) wre bathing suits under jeans and sweat-

shirts. Our feet were covered with heavy socks. The children wore sneakers

and I wore hiking h t s . Just looking a t us, a person wuld have thought

w e r e headed for the mountains, not the beach.

The first two outings produced wintry, cloudy, windy beaches. Only

m e of them mde any lasting impression on me, It was called Pebble Beach.

The narne was perfect because instead of sand t o walk on, this beach had

bautifully colored t h y pebbles. There =re signs everywhere stating that

taking pebbles was against the law. Until we got h m , I was completely

w a r e that Eddie, my three year old had f i l l e d one of his pockets with

the beautiful stones.

Gn our third search Sunday, I didn' t even bother with rrry bathing suit.

I jus t dressed as tho* it were November in North: Carolina. The kids, haw- ever, still put on their bathing suits mder their clothes. (Children were

such o p t M s t s , I thought .) Once again, w e piled into the car and headed

down the coast highway. L had the radio on loud to d r m out the not infre-

quent squabbles that ensued at the back of the car. We were excited as VE

passed Pebble Beach and the vnnamed beach we had already visited. 1 had

studied the m p and figured that m had about another hour of driving before we would reach "our next beach." Suddenly, fran sawwhere near the back

of the car, Eddie shouted "BEACH SIC;N."He was right. Just a few yards

h a d there was a sign that indicated beach par-.

We pulled into the parking lot' and were accosted by a large shirtless

rslan who was wearing an unzipped black leather jacket and collecting a parking

fee. We hadn' t encountered a parking fee at the other beaches. And unlike the other beach parking lots , this one was packed, lhvertheless, VE found

a parking place and got wt of the car. Marion and William carried thei r

m tmels and a sand toy, Fddie carried nothings and ran abut in a frenky

of e x c i t m t all wer the parking l o t , and 'I camed Bernie, the large

picnic lunch, a bag of extra clothes and jackets, my b k and a diaper bag.

I cwld barely walk under the load. Then William said "Zook a t a l l the

people an the rocks with binoculars. What are they looking at?" Without

paying any real attention or even looking at the rocks, I said, "whales and

seals." That was not a good answer because imnediately Eddie started to

cry and have a fit to g~ back haw and ge t our binoculars so we cauld see

the whales, too. I finally got him c a h d dcrwn by tell ing him I would ask to bonm sawone's binoculars after we got settled on the beach, After

this scene, m began our march down to the beach.

I was terrified as I tried to get us safely across the highway to the

beach side of th street. Eddie only darted in front of one car before Marion

grabbed his am. Having conquered the highway, o w next obstacle was a field

of tall grass about a mile long that led to the beach--or so I thought.

By n m my fingers ached frm holdim the bags and I could feel the sweat *

fran my h d s disintegrating the places on the bags where I had a grip.

The drink container had developed a leak and I could feel. lemorzade beginning

to soak through the l e f t b e e of my pants. Bernie was sliding I m r and

lower d m my h ip which was how drenched fim his e t diaper. A s we

approached the end of the f ie ld , I was horrified to find a d e n set of

stairs of extensive length going straight d m t o the beach. I watched with

helpless harror as W i l l i a m jmped to the sand from abut the middle of the

staircase. When I got to the bt tm, I only walked a couple of feet Gefore

I dropped everything. I m d e r e d how 1" ever get h c k up to the car. P carefully unfolded the blanket and was enjoying the warmth of the

sun on my back as I h c h e d over the comers. When I flipped the last corner

open and started t o stand up, I noticed that a mn nearby was lying on his

s-ch, but had on no clothes. Quickly, I t r i ed to rationalize that this

was really acceptable because everyone looked the same frm the back. As

I s t d fully upright, a nude wman passed within inches of me. She, was

tan everywhere. Then 1 heard Marion and W i l l i a m laughing and laughing.

39

I summed all, my courage and looked around. No m e was wearing clothes

except ny f d l y and t h e teenagers who looked as embarrassed as I felt. Unfortunately, 1 ' realized, w had arrived at me of those California nude

beaches. I sat d m to contemplate the situation and then realized what

a19 those people had been lookiw at with their binoculars. It was then

that I overheard the c m r s a t i m of two nude and obviously gay E n who were

descending the staircase next to me. They wre laughing. Then one said, "Don't laugh; maybe she has to wear all those clothes because she" got a

cold. '"en they b t h burst into uncontrollable laughter.

As for the beach itself, it was perfect. It was tucked into a little

cove. The sun was bright and it was hot. AlthwgZl I wished we weren't at

a nude beach, I was so tired and the beach was so hot and enjoyable that

VE stayed for a couple of hours. The kids enjoyed being in their swimsuits and playing at the edge of the ocean. Just so I wuldntt s e m like a corn-

plete prude, I remwed all of the baby's clothes. 1 then took off my shoes

and socks and sweated inside my clothes the whole time rn were there. I

tried to read my b k , but had a hard tirrme keeping eyes m it. In fact,

f never turned the page.

The nudists were very athletic, They played volleyball and baseball

the whole time we wre there and they never-got tired. Their bodies *re 11 flawless. Never had I seen so many tens'" m e place at the same time.

1 really can' t remanber hay we wer got back to the car, but somehm

wz did. And after the day was over and w e were h e , 1 felt secretly pleased

with myself. I had really been to a nude beach, seen what it was l ike, and only removed my shoes and socks. I was happy that my search found that,

tuchd into a l i t t l e cove just an hour or so south of San Francisco, there

is a beautiful, warm, s m y , clean beach. The only problem was, I hew I ' d

never go there again. '

Face in the Mirror

I hew me once, but that was s m tjme ago.

L lost myself while gazing into the mirror.

Eyes stared back at mine, seeing through me-- Wild, fiery, angry orbs glistening with tears

Fused by fu t i l i ty and sorrow. Bags below

Filled by lack of sleep, mrries, md unpleasant m r i e s . O n the forehead were deep furrows

Iktg by the p l m of concern. Dug by the deaths 05 friends and family.

On the lips a *awn had been painted

By the failures of a ne kr-do-mll artist.

1 fel t sorry for the p i t i fu l creature.

Then I saw the face walk away.

I never left the mirror.

The Conqueror's Creed

Violence is his calling, He has no desire To learn another me. H i s ambition is to possess and force On the p i t i f u l , his w i l l , Allowing them no space To breathe &labored. Whipping about as a fierce wind Rending tender flesh . Plouglung open the soul Leaving it spent--dying.

Terror has i ts season But quiet soon rests st i l l . C o o l , ministering breezes Shatter the cholung air Makmg a space to le t The fainting soul heal.

- Sheila Helm

Clarabelle's New Shoes

Ho-hm. I wonder if mrnin' will ever get here! The week has been

so-0-0-0 l a ! Gosh, will it ever be dayligh~: Yuck! 1'11 just have to

be quiet . Granldma laughs and says I h gabby as a magpie, but she dm' t mind

'cause I liven up the place and keep her yotmg.

kt's see, I came to live with Grandm when I was five; now I ' m seven

and a first grader a t S t . Mark's. Gramha mrks as housekeeper for the

Fitzpatricks , the wealthy f d l y across tuwn. Watchin "he Fitzpatrick' s

driver ccme ' r d in their fancy car, t o pick up G r a n d r i a , is so mch fun. The other kids in the neighborhood are always gawkin' at that big car; not

me! Grandma don? want me gawkin', says it% s t 'ladylike."

Sornetims I get to go with Granb and play with P m y Fitzpatrick, who's

a year older than m. 1 love to go there and play with all her toys. Her

room is just like goin' to a t.oy store; toys everywhere! Dolls of all kinds! She has her c m l i t t le playhouse tkt has a real kitchen with W n ' water

in the sink and an oven that mrks. We bake cupcakes, make tea, and have

a real tea party at k r table and chairs.

I just can't believe her closet, big as ny roan a d full of dresses with matchin' shoes, hats and socks of every color. Sometimes Amy lets m try 'em on, &en she outgrows 'em. G r a n h brings same of 'em hme to m. The only thing is, I never get the shoes that match kcuse I mar the same

I size shoe as Arrry. I love the dress& though, and I'm so proud of em.

Grandma mn't let me have a l o t of fancy ones though, 'cause she's afraid

I ' 11 get to uppity, or think I 'rn better than the other girls in our neighbor-

hood.

I h glad we live in one of the nicer neighborhoods in mr area. The

houses look like cottages with their little picket fences. Some 05 'em need

paint, but everyone keeps a neat yard and Grandm says all the ladies keep

"good clean houses ." I love our little house with its front roan, "parlor,"

as Grandm calls it; the dining roan and kitchen, b e d r m a . bath in the

bck, with a porch out front, for s e t t i n h d visitin'. I like ny mn little

rm best; kinda quiet, and I can be by myself when 1 want to. Grandma likes

her quiet time too, and she likes to res t a bit when she comes home from the Fitzpatricks. Housekeepin' is hard on Grandma, 'cause of the arthritis

in her hee .

G s a n h brought h m ~ a red dress and matchin' coat P,my sent TIE to wear

for Easter. The only thing is, no shoes. Grandma surprised me with a bus

ride dmtown to Massengills. She has k e n savin' up to take me shoppjn'

Fn their bargain basement for a NEi' p a i r of shoes, a l l nry m! I've never, ever, had a NEW pair! While VE were there, we found the cutest hat, just

to match dress ! Grandma says it 's "saucy" ! 1 like that mrd, it sourids

so, oh, g r m up. Finally! Easter is today! I've been fairly burstin'

with excitement, tryin' t o keep my new outfit a secret from Roxama, my very

best friend. Grandma promised to keep my secret, tm, but says I w n ' t be too puffed up h t it. I kinda feel gui l ty and a l i t t le sad 'bout Ram

though--she mn' t have anythin' new to mar today.

Great? Grantha's finally up and puttin' water on for tea. I ' m not sure I can stand breakfast, with a l l the f l u t t e r i n ' g o i n h in my stmmch.

All my new clothes are laid out and G r a n h says she'll help me with the

buttons in back and f ixmy hat an just so. . . . '"Oh, J know I have t o hurry

and get my bath Grandma, but I. was just wonderin', uh, w e l l - - i t ' s ' b u t

Romma, Grandma. I'm 50 excited k u t a l l my new things, but I'm kinda

sad that Ro- m't have anythin' new or fancy. Reckon muld ya mind if

I let Roxanna war my shoes, Grandma? I cwld let Roxama put 'em on before

the other g i r l s get there and we mldn' t have t o tell, at least right may, that is. What do ya think, Grandma? . . .Oh, thanks Grandma, you're the

greatest Grandma ever, I hew ya'd understand! Just w a i t kt1 I tell

Roxmna!'' . . . '"an't eat, Grandma! I know ya made my favorite pancakes, but the

butterf Lies in rrry stamach are in a hurry! '\ . . ' k e ya ready, Grandma? I"11 get your cane. Take it easy gos dmm

the steps. Can I please go ahead, Gr-? I'll watch crossin' both streets

and I'll wait at the door. Tkanks, Grandm, and please, hurry!" " . .. '"Yoo-hoo! Please huwy, Grandma, I wanna be first! I h so excited!

Just can't wait 'ti1 Ram sees my shiny, new, black patent leather shoes and saucy red and white hat! Ma"? You called my hat saucy, Grandma.

Okay. Yes ma'm, and I ' l l try to be patient, but 1 do so much want ya to

please, please hurry! '' "Oh, hi! Yak new here, or are ya a visitor? Welcme to St. Mark".

My name is Clarabelle. I'm so excited, today being Easter Sunday, and

all! Our S h y School class is goin' to be special! Oh, I wish Grandma

wuld Iprrry. That's my Grandm with :he cane d m at the comer. I h o p

ya like our church. It's n y most favorite palce to be. St. %rkk was built ia 1801, over a h d r e d years ago! See how wrn the porch and steps are.

My g r a d m a came to church here, even when she was a little gir l , and that

was a lm-n-n-n-ng time ago! I live with G r a n h now; my m ' s dead, *ya

b. See this angel on the door here? I l ike to pretend that she's my

rn and lookin' after m. I come here alot, al l by myself, and s i t over

there on the cold steps, cold jn the winter that is. In the sumner, early of a momin', they're quite cool, but up in the day they're b t ! Fair set

ya'r buns afire! Ya see, when I get lonesome, or I'm in trouble again with Grandma, which is right smart a bit, I c m talk to t%na." 'Course she

don't talk back, but socnehow talkin-to her makes nae feel better. Kinda warn

and 'Pike everything's okay, after all. I knclw G r a n h loves me, but I s w e

do miss Marna.'"

"Well, what in the . . . ? Grandm, what's takin' ya so l q ? Oh, no nm she's stopped to talk to 01' Miss Sadie! We'll never get in there,

and I so wanna be first!"

"Roxanna's gonna be so surprised! I've kept my new, red pique dress

and matching coat with tfis white lacy collar, my saucy red and white hat

with polka dot ribbon a secret. Don't tell G r m b I said, "saucy hat. II I t II I h moot suppose to call it saucy. My very, mst favoritest, are my shiny,

new, black patent leather shoes. I can see face in 'em! Just look, can ya see m?'"

We're havinr an Easter parade in Sunday School today. 'Course that's

not what Sunday School ' s a l l 'bout, but our teacher says a parade is okay,

seein' as haw we're celebratin' the resurrection of Our K i n g . He created

lots of colors, ya how, reds, blues, greens, and yellcrws . M y favorite is red. We are to dress up in pretty colors to give Our King glory today.

Miss Ida says that she has our parts written down. As we parade we'll stop,

read wr parts and then sing all the hymns we've bean practicint ,"

"Oops! I gotta go now, Grandrra's g o i n k the door. I got so carried

may tellin' ya a l l this I almost forgot 'bout humin' to be first. Oh, I *

nice .talkin' to ya. I t

Oh, yea. I beat b m . Ncrw I'll just have to force myself to si t

in my regular place and pretend to be readin' our lesson. I can't w a i t to

see bxama's face! Urnmmn.

Ti, Roxama. Ya sure look nice! Happy Easter! Oh, yeah, Amy sent

me the dress and coat. It's my favorite color, tao. But, look, just look a t my shoes! They're new, BRAND NIW, my very own, and can ya believe how shiny they are? What do ya think of my hat? We shopped in the bargain base-

ment a t Massengill ' s . That % where I went last Saturday with Grandma. L

wanted rrry outfit to be a surprise. ?hanks, I'll let: ya wear my shoes. Grandma said I could. Ccme on, t q k em. Oh, they look great ! NOW, I' ll

just wear yours. 'Course I'm sure. , , . Oh, I hm, try on my hat, too. Ya look smsh'n'! We'll not tell, it'll be our secret!" . . .

Whew! What an excitin' day! The parade in Sunday School was so mch

fun and werybdy liked my new outfit. But, bxama--Roxam was the best

part of the day. She just loved warin' my shoes and hat. She just couldn' t

stop grimin'. It gave me such a warm feelin' to see her wearin' ny new

shoes and I didn't wen mind wearin' hers, wen i3 they are old and scruffy.

Grandmi's right; sharin' and d o b ' for others makes ya feel a heap a l o t better than b i n ' sawthing just for yourself!

"Thanks, G r a n h , for understandin' how I feel about givin' my shoes

to bxama. I just couldn't: take 'an back,--she loved 'em so and was so

happy wearin' . She had tears in her eyes when she tried to give 'em

back to me and f muldn' t take 'em. I thought she wuId never stop huggin'

me. Oh, G r a d m a , 1 lam ya worked m w a hard and a l l to save up for 'em,

but I'll make it up to ya, I promise. Ma'm? Thanks, Grandma, I'm glad ya're proud of me. 'Night, Grandm.

Ihmmmm. This has been the very best day ever!

"Night, Pima. YA woulda ken proud of m today . . . . .

- Judith Johnson

I

FIRE !

Tiny rays of sunlight began to peep slowly wer the mountain edge,

signaling the beginning of a new day. I drove without stopping on ny way back to my hanetawn in hilly western North Camlina. I had not traveled th i s way in years. The once f d l i a r roads seemed to have changed. The

winding paths I knew so ~ 1 1 , as a child, mre covered with tangled vines, and the wide, clear fields were now f i l led with t a l l grass. As I drove on,

the site of where I once lived came into view, rekindling a memory that I had tucked away in the back of nry mind. Everything leaped forward, as I

began to put the events together! h r i e s have a way of lingering, espe- cially if it's a treasured one. For me, it was jus t an old -en bench

mde by my father. I wuuld never have guessed it would change our lives

so tragically.

My father roamed the mmds for days, looking for a certain type tree

that wuld make the best timber for the bench he wanted to make. After care-

ful selection, he began sawing and wening the boards he needed. He neasured

and filed the rough edges until they wre satiny m t h . When it was finally

finished, it was a work of art. It: stood about three feet high and five

feet long, with a perfectly squared bottm and a nice m d e d armrest. M y

father was so proud as he placed it in the house behind the large heater

in the dining room. '"Here you kids may sit and toast your toes, " he had

jokingly remarked.

We lived in a big old unpainted house that s a t back in a big f ie ld .

The front porch was shaded by a giant hickory nut tree that stood j u s t wt- side the door. Our hwse was without electricity and our main source of

heat was the big mod burning heater. %st of our leisure time was spent

hddled in the dining roam, bcause it was always warm and £un f i l led. In

winter, we would rush f r o m our chilly bedrc~xns, grab our clothing and dress

in the warmth behind the heater.

Here, especially on Sunday mornings, my m muld make big fluffy

biscuits that she served with hot chicken gravy and spicy applesauce. We

w l d sit aruund the table and feast, f i l e we listened to sprirituals aver an old gramophone. After a long breakfast, m would do oux: assigned chores

and hurry back to the dining x m to play games or work puzzles.

I remanber that terrible m i n g in late Septanbr. I m s t have k e n

about six years old xhen it happened. I was in bed, but not asleep.

father was up stirring about. He lit the kerosene lamp and re-started the

fire, for it was a l i t t l e chilly. I heard kim tell my mther to get up.

After a short time, I heard the dmrs slm as they left. I turned aver and

tried to rest,

About nine o'clock my sister Harrna came dashing through the house, loudly

proclaiming, "The house is on fire!" A t first no one believed her, for she

m s lam to tell ridiculous stories. Suddenly, my oldest brother jtrmped

up, disturbed by a strange maring s d . He quickly ran to check the house

to see if everything was alright.

He came rushing back shouting, "It's real this tb . " He did not w s t e

time getting the word to the others. We got our shoes and clothing and hurried to the doorway. We paused only mcmentarily , standing in fear as

we watched the fiery tongues leaping from the dining room. There was a large,

cnmrpled p i l e burning behind the heater. Could it be our bench? The smoke

changed directions, giving a clear v iew of what rmained of our kloved bench.

Our eyes were a h s t blind and burned ferociously. Stmbling and cholung,

m mde our nay to the outside.

'%hy did our house catch an fire?" WE darmded of our brother. "Obviously saneone pushed the bench t i close to the heater," he spoke

h m i n g l y . Ouz mother mrked as a housekeeper only a short distance from the house.

Up the road m went, screaming and m i n g . She mst have sensed the danger

because she was already halfway home when w e met her. She mved ahead of

us in a East flight to t ry to save her how and children. It was too late;

the rotten old house burned quickly. The whole house was engulfed in flames,

making it impossible' for her to enter. She checked t o make sure we were

a l l safe before she broke into tears. She ran to the bottom of the hill to cry her heart out alone. I f o l l m d her, tugging a t her skirt tail,

beggirg, "Please, Mcrmry , don' t cry.'" stood by helplessly. Everything she

had mrked and scrapped for was gone.

By the time my father arrived, a l l that was l e f t of our h e was the

s txbbsn old chimney. It stood like a mmt among the dying embers, reluc-

tant to fall. My father, wercm with disbelief, stood for a time with

his m t h agape. My mother put her arms about him, breaking the spell.

He f inally spoke, "Qh my God, what happened?" " sspoke softly while she

unfolded the sad story as it was told to her. He shook his head and wnmg

his hands. It was hard for my father to accept this tale of somm. The

bench he had so proudly constructed had been such a delight for his children.

HOW could it bring him such untold sorrming? I witnessed the terrible ldok of dispair crossing his face just before he k t over in dripping defeat.

It pained me so mch to see my father cry for he was always so strong and

brave.

The f i e l d was fu l l of concerned folk offering to he lp in any way they

could. Many returned, bringing food and canned goods. Some had brought

old pieces of furniture they had in their attic. The Missionary Club from

New Bethel Baptist Church took up donations and sent them to us, My Aunt

k l i a took us in for t h night. My pa-rents slept in an extra k d in the

guest r m and the rest of us made pallets and slept an the floor. When

morning cam, we had a small breakfast. A n t Delia had a l i t t l e m e y saved

in a t i n can she kept in the closet. She took a l l of it out and mt uptown

with y mother to buy us a set of underclothing apiece.

'Later that morning, we heard a Iwd hock on A u n t Delia's door. It

was W . Mhistnant, the man my mther mrked for. He told us of a small house

that his sm had been repair-. We could mve in right away if we wanted

to. We thanked h im dearly and told him we would be happy to get the house.

Just after he left we heard a second hock on the door. The Red Cross and

Social Sesvjces s h m d up with a truckload of- iron bds, used furniture,

and several boxes full 05 clothing and small articles for the house. She

was so pleased she brake into tears again. After regaining her cmqmsure

she Left in the truck t o show them where to take the load of goods. We w e d

in to the house Late th2t evening.

b the r worked t m jobs after we moved to help my father pay the rent and electric bill. She made most of cnrr clotkmg by hand with rrraterial that

cost ten cents a yard. Our slips were made of bleached out bran sacks. They -re very pretty with ruffles on the edges. My two oldest sisters quit

school to help out at haw. These were nine of us counting the two sets

of twins. fS mother's salary was only two dollars a week at one job and

a dollar-twenty-five at the other one. My father made a dollar a day working

a t the W.P.A.

tJe ate well in the spring and s m r Gecause WE! had gardens that grew

vegetables and we picked blackberries that we sold for five cents a gallon.

But the winters mre rmgh because we had to buy Flood and coal to use for

cooking and heat.

We saw it mugh for a l m g t b as TE met each day as it came. We begged

M d y ta make another h c h , but he m l d only shake his head. In my heart

I h e w he never muld. To t h i s day I have this awful fear of fire and smoke. I carefully check the stave, the iron, and a l l electrical appliances, for

I shall never forget the shmtings of "fire" or the heartbreaking sobs of

my mother.

- Alm Powell