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FALL

1968

LONGWOOD

COLLEGE

FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA

VOLUME

4,

NUMBER

1968-1969

1

STAFF

Edifor-in-Chief

Brenda Holly

Assistanf Edi^o^

Joan Harrup

Feature Editor

Linda Matthews

Poetry Editor staff

Essay Editor sfaff

Short Story Editor staff

Art Editors

Donna Barnes Sharon

Collins, Pixie

Owen

Karla 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,

Mary Alice Carmody, Owen, Sharon Collins,

Pixie

C.

L.

Lise

Rush and Sharon Dietz

Dunnavant, Valerie Jones,

Worthington, Lynn demons,

Louise Dougherty, Joan Barnes,

Kathy Godfrey

Business

Manager

Stuart Fowlkes

Mary

staff

Alice

Carmody, Nancy

Janice Gillenvvater, Lynn

Reporter to

ROTUNDA

Nancy

Circulation

Manager

Pam Wayne Maureen Shannon,

staff

Harris,

demons

Harris

Betty Boylan, Randi Eldridge,

Cindy

Irvin,

Karen Knudsen,

Emily Salle, Margi Lantz, Bonnie Andrews,

Sara Drewry, Edrie Bays, Carol Brotherton,

Mary Lee McKeever Typists

Nancy

Harris,

Head;

Betty Boylan, Linda Carter Publicity

Janet Lacy, Peggy Clowdis, Doris Reames, Edrie Bays,

Janice Gillenwater Proof Readers

Janet Lacy, Peggy Clowdis, Lynn

Exchange Editor

Pam Wayne

Advisors: Literary

Miss Etheridge

Business

Mrs. Taliaferro

Art

Miss Leitch

demons

TABLE OF CONTENTS From

the Editor

Study

of the

The Kaleidoscope, short Untitled,

ink

story

.

.

poem

Octobre Minuit, serlgraph Untitled,

Lines,

poem

.

Dean

poem

Holt, interview

,

Ramparts, acrylics

Too Soon, Icicles,

short

poem

story

print

God, poem Untitled,

One Thing, poem

What Happened

short story

Then?, short story

Untitled, pencil

Blue Cheer, essay

poem

-

H.M.S. Troy, drypoint etching

poem The Parting, poem And Then, poem Cave de la Nuit, woodcut Wide-Awake Fail-i-ness, poem

Owen

6 7

9

Margaret Webb Melinda Motfley

10

Donna Barnes

10

Linda

Matthews

9

11

Jenny Young

14

Marilyn Bates Linda Long

14

Leslie

Sharon

Old No. Seven, pencil Ode To Morning, poem

Peace,

5

Tricia

,

Taosung Stealing Sun, Knowin's

4

K.

Tulita

July 28 and Irregular Intervals Thereafter,

Introducing

H

Sharon Collins Ruth Booker Kitt Rogers

B.

Harmony, poem Hand, pen and

Universal

Shaw

,

15 17

Sedgwick

18

Collins

19

Donna Barnes

19

Rachael Paschall Ruth Booker Pam Richardson Louise Dougherty Susan Davenport

22 22 23

24

Karia

26 27

Tricia

28 28 29

Myers Leslie Sedgwick Barbara Leahey

Shaw

Linda

Pelikan

Leslie

Sedgwick

Edrie

Bays

29 30 30

GYRE

During the past year, the

Columbia Scholastic bia

FROM THE EDITOR

University

in

staff

Press Association

New

has been traveling, and

Last spring, the editor attended the

receiving several awards.

York City.

Convention

at

Journalists from

Columover

all

the United States gathered together to share literary ideas and Ideals.

Later, ratings

MEDALIST award

were given, and the

with

GYRE

received a

1000

927 points out of a possible

Joan Harrup, the assistant editor, attended the Associated Collegiate Press Convention at the WaldorfAstoria in New York City. At this time, the GYRE received a FIRST CLASS rating which is just below the highest possible points. This

rating

fall,

— ALL-AMERICAN.

Needless

to

say,

this

could

not

have been possible without the many contributions of the

Longwood

students.

These awards have given much excitement to the

staff,

more incentive for the production magazine. With this thought in mind, the

but they have also initiated of

an even better

staff publishes this,

cates

The

GYRE

staff

invites

new and

all

part of

it

does the

by contributing your

this

Besides

year.

GYRE, you can

literary or art works.

be a Not only

also

staff invite creative poetry, short stories, essays,

work, and book reviews, but also their opinions

it

invites students to

on "current issue" topics, such as

other important happenings

in

the news.

the eighth issue of the

to the class of 1972.

old students to enjoy

three issues of the literary magazine again the enjoyment of just reading the

it

art

submit

politics

and

B. K.

H.

GYRE, and

dedi-

He was

HARMONY

UNIVERSAL

many

called

But Endurance

War Of

is in

the

is

his

things,

name.

mind

the two-legged creatures with four legs.

He was

born with eyes.

But he lived with the blind.

He was

born a lamb,

He was

grew up with lions.

He has been called many But Love is his name.

But

War

many

called

But Understanding

things. his

is

name.

things,

War

is

a

way

to

appear

To be what we are not and is

Taught

a

to stuff ourselves.

game

to children

by

adults.

He was

born with hands,

But he lived with fingers.

He was

born a fawn,

grew up with wolves.

He was called many things, But

But Tolerance

War

is

his

name.

He was

War will

end

One day is

many

called

But Patience was his

if

things.

name.

for the living

any

living

beings can be found.

necessary

Because we are two-legged animals.

He was

born a

child,

grew up with adults.

He was called many things.

But Peace is his name.

But he

He

was born without.

But

grew up

with.

Sha

Collii

embrace. The

THE KALEIDOSCOPE

most

reached

me

love

felt

I

marvelous

down

wound

stairs

my room and

to

to her breast

cried as a the varl-colored tube and

in

I

saw lit

complicated as

life Itself.

ent faces around life.

and

beautiful at the

I

The individual features

my

friends.

Suddenly

manded me

my

coat,

each face which were ugly

my

at

my

me because

they

Intense expression

and

to

to run.

from what was to

Outside the wind pulled cut to

my

skin.

Later

at

my

hair

1

grinned up

me

I

ran and ran to the gate and into full

In

at

happiness that

my

house. The heat

hit

door slammed behind me and the was there enveloped me in its affectionate

the face as the

my

was added

hair

to

face

was streaked with that

had held

and cuddled

infant

me

me

v/hen

I

favorite soup.

room where

the familiar candles

glow made the room

sorrow or mistrust. The eyes of

a lovely, per-

my

demons

of doubt,

this same down for the evening meal. Their trust In and for good reason. had never given them

parents reflected

quality as they sat

me was

implicit

more than the

which

I

meaning

I

moment's worry and

a

I

was

had cherished since

I

infinitely

proud

was old enough

of their to

know

word.

of the

The next day dawned colder than ever and the heaviness

and

the glowering face of the sky and laughed at the thrilling wind as

Into the dining

of

my

weighed me down

winter coat

I

spicy smell of the freshest air said "snow."

light

mother's beautiful

sonal place, seemingly Inpenetrable to the

trust

knew it held back come. The clouds hovered low and the icy,

icily

stirred

girl,

the table. Their steady

heart.

looked up and the hands of the clock com-

1

and

of

was an

I

to race

those marvellously

as

my

the kaleidoscope that was

same time were dear

They laughed

held their laughter to

intricate pattern

looked up and the circle of differ-

me made up

own were

I

and

when

little

stepped

I

looked through the hole

I

my

as

life

and her deft hands, the same ones

silver

a million points of color, a beautiful

all

this

cooking

dinner

was compelled

I

Her brov/n-blonde

smiled into mine.

of

Another point of

my

kaleidoscope of

the

Rogers

smells

and

a very short time

in

upv/ard

familiarly

every corner of

in

to the kitchen to find the origin of

mouth-watering odors.

Kitt

around,

The

homes.

of

and

gracefully all

row. The air nipped at Inside

my

gloves as

alone that day for

my

weekly

trip to

freezing flakes of In

I

my

my

face and

like

my

the burden of sor-

hands grew

walked through our town. friends could

not

I

numb

felt

very

accompany me on

town. The day was waning and already the

snow had begun

ever-Increasing numbers as

I

to

plummet from the

sky

passed the bright shop win-

dows. Ordinarily

some reason

never stopped at any of the stores but for

I

was drawn

I

the bitter cold

and

to the jewelry store, partly to

partly to look at a very beautiful watch,

had remarked

of which a friend

earlier.

walked inside the

I

shop and immediately went to the display where

The diamonds around the face

watch.

the

wickedly and seemed to flame before

its

hurried back

I

my

my

could see

I

of

glittered

it

eyes.

looked up

I

looked again be nearly deserted. hands seemed to icily embrace me.

and found the shop the watch and

escape

to

down

the street, the watch safe

.

the pocket

in

soul

I

1

I

coat.

me?

every expression seemed to taunt

The

cliff

my

near

places

beautiful

.

The world was a cold, hard place and the steammade ing breath of passers-by whirled and swirled about as

of

utterly black for night

My

at

I

.

had come and no light could enter. grew cold with fear and guilt and my sleep grew restless.

My heart was bursting with emotion for they all had not told knew. was sure that they knew even though stand to live with my parents, whose trust them, hiow could in me must have been utterly shattered, and my friends, whose

was

in

of the most restful and The water that caresses the on a fine day and the reflection of

house

rocks catches the light

make

Today

this

walked to

one

the world.

the sun seems to 1

is

the water a sea

place, the

of precious

one spot where

gems.

had always

I

I

I

my

was

safely in

my room

before

I

removed

pocket and gazed again at the gaudy

monds.

I

softness

looked at

my

face

in

the watch from

my

had disappeared from

my

A

features.

covered

cold, at

my mouth

scream started

in

hand before

could emerge to shatter the heavy

throat but

I

hard

mine.

A

with

my

stillness of

my room.

No

I

find

parents, for their gazes

my

I

me

and

joy

seemed

terrible secret lay.

friends delight

knew what

lashed the water below into a frothing frenzy.

peace

my

in

burning cheeks as

afraid to

I

No

gazed

in

the eyes of

to sear through to

closer to the

my

soul

into

seemed

my

to say that they

kaleidoscope and

it

It

could find no

savagely tore the watch

1

paths I

down

had been

wear from my pocket and dashed it to bits on the was helpless with guilt and shame as stepped

rocks below.

my

longer could the smiles of

for their smiles

had done.

trust

I

made crooked

place today. Tears

this

I

1

edge and observed

waves against the

longer could

where my

I

It

glitter of its dia-

the mirror on the wall and the

countenance with narrowing eyes looked back

It

needed it most. to find complete solitude when was cold and the earth under my feet was a block of iron.

The trees that lined the cliff were bare of leaves and the wind been able

my way home.

rocks.

.

.

the merciless crashing of the

.

warm with new life. My house same but is enhanced by the beauty of the flowers bloom profusely In our garden. My room Is dark and

is

spring and the trees are

looks the that

the door In

the

Is

My

eternally locked.

somber corner where

I

kaleidoscope gathers dust

dropped

it

months ago.

Love

July 28 and Irregular Intervals Thereafter

a squirrel

Is

Cuffing nufs on a limb If

a jar of

Is

sand

From Cape Cod

A

boy

Trying fo grow Taller fhan

A

One

me

From fhe table this SundayThe yellow dandelion With finy hoppy-bugs The little sister I

As

just

one.

down my

left

cheek

Slowly Before

I

brushed

it

away.

The world expected more.

Is

private.

ripples over rocks

the twinkle

When lt Is,

all,

trickled

the brook gurgling

it

It Is

It

Grief

chose three days ago

It is

tear

That's

now-wllfed carnaflon

well, ...

Aren't

In

your eye

you've outfoxed

YOU

It

just

me-

is.

glad?

Tullta

Margaret

Owen

Webb

Winter the blending of beautiful wfiite

and the stagnation

of

what

could have been.

Spring the budding excitement of Beginning

and the desolate thoughts frustrated

of

Happiness desires.

Summer the warmth of a beach and a love

and the strength

of the sea

washing away what was.

Fall

the colorful coats of

Happy

trees

and remembering a plan which could have been.

and we continue to laugh

we and

to enjoy

and dismay

and cry

—forever longing

for

another day

forever wondering why.

Donna Barnes

10

Q.

Dean

there any

were once an elementary teacher.

Holt, you

Was

you changed to administrative

reason

particular

work?

"No.

taught

I

first

grade because

My

classroom as a teacher. supervision.

thought

If

I

I

had never

was going

sat

to

had never been

Do you

Q.

think that

the

be working with other teachers, teaching.

in

grade for three years and loved every minute go back into It tomorrow."

strictly to

in

behind a desk as a teacher.

had better have some experience

INTRODUCING DEAN HOLT

I

previous experience had been

Longwood should

of

limit

I

taught

it,

Its

in I

I

first

and would

education

teachers?

"Absolutely not.

I

couldn't be

more emphatic than

that.

be scholars and secondly teachers. Since they must be scholars, they must have the widest breadth of would like to see all of our teachers liberal arts education.

Teachers must

first

I

Miss Jo Holt joined the

tember as Assistant Dean from the

GYRE

academic, and

staff,

social.

she

Longwood College

of Students.

In

commented on

Miss Holt

is

staff

school

In

Before joining the

Suburban, Ohio and was

High School

in

Cambridge, Ohio.

Sep-

answer to questions matters professional,

a native of

Illinois.

attended and holds degrees from the University of Northwestern.

In

Longwood

staff,

a counselor at

Illinois

get a liberal arts degree with sufficient hours

in

education.

Then the education emphasis could coma through an M.A.T. degree."

She

and

she taught

Q.

In

your travels

is

there one particular place you liked

best?

Cambridge "Oh,

I

find

best and least. the

western

It

very difficult to draw comparisons between I've traveled

all

over the United States and

provinces of Canada.

I

also

traveled through

Middle East two years ago.

the

any place probably

don't think

I

particularly liked the best.

I

greatest

the

felt

grandeur of the Rockies

amount

If

I

felt

I

could

contentment

of

say

contentment,

I

atmosphere here

the

in

"Yes.

northern Canada."

in

Having attended

Q.

I

mean

I

tages of a small college

comparison

in

"The obvious advantages one gets

know everyone

to

some ways

On

chance

a

much

larger

chance

to speak

and with the policy makers

of

greater discussion, and

in

for

of professors

wish to

of

permanent

library

contributing

to

go

area

Also,

1

research

think

located.

is

to an urban area, or

does she wish

Farmville?

like

is

all

is

she

depends on

to

looking

come for

in

to a

an

part of a choice that the student should

have. Thank goodness interest

What

it

plus

Does a student

university or college

education? This

student's

greater

we have

that

choice!

happens to be, someplace

States there's a college that

Whatever in

the

think,

I

attend large universities (by

own

their

therefore,

large university probably the people

in

her

will

not

do

their

own

learning

more

so-

one who attends

Also,

come

in

own major department.

contact with

a all

This accounts for

Dean

hlolt,

since

you attended a coeducational school,

you probably cited many advantages and disadvantages an

all girls'

"First of is

school. all,

Would you

girls'

schools and boys' schools as a separation

a Southern tradition.

not

grow up

in

to

please state these?

I

am

not from the South,

fine girls' schools, very excellent

ones

and

1

did

However, we had very

the Southern tradition.

in

the North.

The Seven

Sisters or schools similar to that are quite obviously the pres-

tige

schools

of

the

East.

Coming from my background,

never had a chance to go to one of those schools.

the

have afforded

it

in

the

first

place.

In

I

I

couldn't

the second place,

I

United couldn't have afforded to get back

fits

to

they're probably

this

thousand

fifty

quite a bit of difference."

Q.

and the endowment

much more on

academic

find the

different?

and more grown-up.

phisticated

greater growth.

larger curricular offerings.

where the rural

a better

who

think students

and research.

major contribution to academic excellence. There

a

chairs a

for

chance

is

a large campus, there are larger budgets making the

procurement

is

a

that every-

is

There are more face-to-face

else.

intimately with their professors is

to a large university?

of a small college

relationships with students. There

the college. There

advantages and disadvan-

think are the

do you

a university,

Longwood

the mega-universities that have forty or

students) are

What do you

Q.

at

that particular interest."

and

forth, let

alone to pay

the tuition to get

available then as

many

Like

state.

Scholarship

in.

now.

Is

it

of you,

girls

my

with

because

educational aspirations.

feel

not nearly as

my

to the university in

I

choose the other because

to

who

money was

went

chose

might not have been

fact that a girls' school

happened

I

chose to attend a state supported

I'm not saying that

institution.

best suit

I

So,

I

I

it

negates the

just as

thought

good.

I

would

It

many

think there are

quite the contrary. They fee! that living only

women and

being

a better education.

I

in

a

women's

again go back to what

thank goodness there are

all

kinds, so

them

institution will offer

the big state university

like

I'm sure this

Is

cipitates the choice of

schools.

The very

student's choice.

structure wasn't this

going to change, but

I

think

of

the

university

way?

Do you

think as

many

If

girls

the the

who

institution

if

ing

of a female institution, of course.

men. You become a suitcase school; you

men every weekend. When every Friday night Is a mass exodus. You either go to the surroundInstitutions that have men, or you go home to boyfriends.

to

the

comes, there

class spirit

and school

a definite disadvantage brought

about by the segregation of the sexes.

On

a coeducational

campus most of the activities are centered on the campus unless you happen to be pinned or engaged to someone going to another school. Most of your contacts, however, are made at the school where you go; therefore, you are on campus for weekends. think the basic disadvantages are probably social ones rather than academic ones."

I

Q.

What

are the qualities of a

good teacher?

"Scholarship, sincerity, empathy."

pre-

It

Influences

would pose these questions: What

The obvious disadvantage

go

is

90

Is

they had a comparable coeducational institution available?

that there are no

that this

there are graduate

choose to be teachers, would go to a women's

Is

tendency to lower the

would say

going to one of the three women's

structure I

women

I

For Instance,

school.

the University of Virginia

percent male, and most of the students.

all girls'

think this has a

said before:

I

people can choose what-

ever kind they wish. There are, however, certain circumstances that Influence a girl to attend an

I

spirit.

Linda Matthews

LINES Written

in

a Fit of

Anger surges upwards from Cracking

Of

fils

Despa pair

fiis

dark cave,

seething wfiip across the backs

fiery stallions,

And gleaming

who

with flattened ears

teeth attack the unoffending

He flings his barbed darts At those around him, caring not on whom they The gates of hiades open wide Earth beneath.

As

fall

with a rush, he, devil-sent, ascends

The lower regions

of that great

Without which

could not

Stamping out

life

chamber

exist.

affection, crushing love.

Thrusting reason aside, disregarding All but Passion, with

And

whom

he mixes

creates Hatred.

Jenny Young

14

The

from the bathroom spilled under the door crack,

light

and she could hear the running shower.

TOO SOON

"hie'll

be

A

decided

that she

Ten minutes."

a while.

She paused.

puzzle

came

"How many ten minutes fit Any years? What comparisons.

Linda Long

into her mind,

into It's

"Time" brought her backwards.

Old words,

the pieces of

together, echoing

She peered

into

barely

grayness,

the

outlining

became

clearer to her

She

his.

all

felt

—

odd

the

broad shoulders, the

at times

like

the

first

bureau, then her husband's form as he stood before

He

it.

stout chest

with the children

this,

had

it

then, as

she sometimes

"The war? like

out of her mind.

Impossible.

She knew

it,

tried

baby had

Really

four

years? Yes,

long,

a

—

suspected.

that's

like

do that.

Only

in

when she wrestled

The

was cheap; and,

the apartment, there

in

just

wasn't

the quiet, very intimate with

.

War

years?

yes, time."

.

was a new puzzle now.

dead conversation, began

good.

She coughed

Checking

the

many changes." easier.

.

fitting

During the war, early

the

in

first

more than he ever

all

day and wore

herself out

I

guess."

'Now what?"

long time

Daytime was

it.

started walking, so close attention

with everything else to

moments

still

It

time

'How's the baby?"

Billy."

Well, hurry

not to think about

the time to think

but that's

just

in

seemed,

felt.

twenty, with too few letters and far too

She

It

he had always been, almost as though there had

if

never been a war.

way

itself

four years?

was Larry asking her:

'Quiet.

another world, and the world

one

chambers even she believed her memory

in

safely locked for

year,

a teasing

to explore.

But she

it

up.

took

still

It's

all

January, not July."

the time she

was properly covered. Yes, and was

bed and under of

the

the

to see that Billy

room

remembered slipping back covers which were so warm that the

running smoothly. She

still

silent

needed

that the vaporizer in his

the

open rooms

minutes passed.

left

her

body

Half an hour.

with

baby sounded, coughing again and

the crib.

a

shiver.

She could

still

rattling

into chill

Then the recall

how

the sides of

And

"Nancy, no." ."

"Larry

.

"O.K.

make

But

The tone

...

I

baby

since

the

Now,

well,

I

it

a

check

fast

time

this

—

the

last

I

went to bed with one idea

woke

first

can't sleep,

up

us

it

and wait

off

like

I'd

much, and shirts

and

was then that she knew

forcefulness

memory's

in

his

it

was

The deliberate

serious.

voice returned to her,

very real

still

in

her

ear.

.

.

Is

we expected."

.

"Just one duffel

bag

in

is It

they're sending

going

to

And

Mexico.

"The orders came through yesterday, and

I

went

right

—

a

"When, Larry? When?" tell

all

over again

back into the

— not even

She had

staring at the

little

She remembered how sank Into pools.

it

to

listening

anymore.

turned away from him,

pillow,

She

re-

room across

the

stop the tears.

light in

seemed

She blacked

Billy's

to melt as her vision it

out,

well,

later,

you?"

guess

I

least bit of attention.

then to

first,

it'll

Camp

this

would come sooner or

week from now,

a

And

hlow strange

her reply?

month or

Luna,

New

We

both

be overseas.

wouldn't be stationed here for the duration.

O God,

"But tomorrow!

herself

wasn't

It

folding job

later.

Come

on,

Tomorrow,

a year." that she could recall her

own

I've

."

membered silently

the train.

my

voice quality so perfectly.

.

every muscle pulling.

hall.

On

you, dear. Tomorrow.

I

of

the hall closet."

Washington

Nancy, you knew

fallen

already packed.

be proud

honey."

"When?"

She saw

I've

really

It?"

knew

She had

you.

and you'd

"Nancy?"

.

you."

"No, no. Where

I'm

Silence.

"I'm trying to

for

I've told

"Nancy, you haven't been paying the

"I'm leaving sooner than

already

her cheeks into small spots of wetness

Nancy?"

.

.

all,

"Where

planned."

It

.

"No, dear,

mind, but

down

fell

white pillowcase.

have to pack

"I-I'll

it.

been thinking again.

I've

put

can't

in

soft

"Nancy

time.

voice had changed, and she obeyed

of his

"Nancy,

the drops

on the

.

squinted hard.

Larry,

tomorrow

"Anytime would have been too soon.

is

too soon."

Remember

that,

Nancy."

So, there she after

all

tion to the

as she

had

that time.

had

lit

at

it

—

the words together again

all

The shower stopped, snapping her

doorcrack.

Billy's

She wondered, staring

light,

if

she could

—

still,

atten-

at the crack

go back now, would

she have said anyfhing different. the children with your at least as far as

"Why

think

mother

.

Washington.

about

I

The door opened, surprising but

vanished the instant the

it

it.

suppose.

I

leave

"I'll

me go

let

with you,

Larry!"

But

I

can't.

Then other

A

appeared,

silhouette

was cut

off again.

"Nancy?"

He

Icicles

know what thoughts he was breaking upon, what the flashback had been. What did he know of the old rerun movie she played? couldn't

the

in

dripping, drops

descend, boring in

the snow.

She couldn't see him

until

bed responded

"Why? Why?

shaking

the wind, melting,

tunnels

"Thought maybe you'd already be asleep."

when

ICICLES

be the only one."

can't

her.

light

maybe:

Like,

only

.

Please,

Forget

it?

women, some have,

.

he crossed the window. Then,

to his weight, a chill

came over

From the

her.

funnel's It's

not

to

fair

him,

and he doesn't even

end

know!" they

No,

Of

it

wasn't

and she would blame

fair;

course. The war had killed Larry;

Then she would

tell

here and alive.

And

herself that

God

it

on the war.

knew she

didn't.

9 0.

he was dead, that she was

could Larry have found

it

so strange

that she love again?

"No. But

.

soon,

.

Oh, no. .

like

But

why should

.

it

.

.

it's

only

be too soon?

Larry had said?

He

when Is

I

think

it?

had, hadn't he?

like

that.

Anytime? Too

Tricia

Shaw

GOD

God

is

KNOWIN'S ONE THING

the Sea

The woman you love Buf fear fo touch.

The man you Yet fear

God

is

sit

When

beside I

his strength.

was a

I

could see

mailbox was.

the Sea

my

marry Him.

far, I

little

kid,

clear

was

I

to

'member gran'pa comin' the

end but

five then,

he knew we

thing

from the

the country an' on a farm an'

My

city;

liked

tellin'

city

o'

things

Every spring gran'pa took us over to the

all

the time,

Sh aron i^ollms diff'rent.

a kite

tail

I

O' course

how me

things,

an'

some-

us

livin'

jest

by

instink.

me

an'

meadow; we always

my

brothers played

we went with gran'pa it was Gran'pa showed us how to make

but when

noticed things.

with big elm leaves.

things bein' beautiful. That

19

see

him nothin'.

went there with him. there

visit.

all.

Gran'pa, he knew a bunch

With nobody

still

to

road where our

hie always brung us

out

in

kin

I

brothers run to meet gran'pa.

the

of

was

He

never said nothin' 'bout

sissy stuff.

Gran'pa knew Gran'pa

grown-ups might

Our

to

good 'nough.

that

useta' walk

lake.

to the lake with

all

thought boys wouldn't

o'

We

down

never told gran'pa

like

was

it

the guys. that

—comin'

When

My lake

grees.

hisself.

came

Gran'pa was awful

we

didn't even

We

jest laid

funny stories.

when he came

an'

— go swimmin'

'less

was

it

a

to the

guys

tol'

me

an'

my

stuff.

tell

I

me

that

why gran'pa was gonna

That's

what she

I

first,

but

It

road from

us.

knew gran'pa wasn't

live with us.

He

old,

it

guy would

with

ol'

man

was perfict

cleaned that place

he

but

like

Kern's place a mile

for

My

one man.

it

was

like

a

He

made carpeted

'til

o' liked.

like

20

nothin'

my Gran'pa

me

useta'

ma

the

for

looked

do when he

wall.

handmade his own

an'

He

even crochayed

it.

Nobody never

'bout

nothin'. hisself.

in

saw gran'pa agin.

I

was

all

an'

smilin'

was

It

a cool drink

gittin'

in

in

the

happy. The guys so,

but

I

know

tell.

real late jest as

o'

my

Gran'pa.

when gran'pa

happy

oldest brother

left

to walk

back to

his

house,

as he useta' be.

was

sixteen

an'

told us 'bout gran'pa gittin' hit

a baby.

his

floor,

him agin. They didn't say

to see

was

sissy

an' the fellas

Gran'pa came

was

My

never

over the

all

learned everythin' by

an' he

club house any

we

gran'pa's was covered with

wasn't

was so proud

It

the

gran'pa took

you would not believe.

no paint, but

down

it

gran'pa could

didn't say so jest at

He

gran'pa, he was difT'rent.

talked 'bout what

was three weeks before

was glad

an'

I

It

o'

rugs

kitchen.

I

knew.

I

house

August, an'

old.

said.

Well, gran'pa took

touched

they can't work good.

— 'cause he was

ol'

to teach

He

git old

live with us

knew somethin' though.

knew he wasn't gonna

an'

had

when people

That's

I

He

His

shawls,

loved the way gran'pa was so funny. told

should

walk

a

that year.

visit

painted pictures was

how

brothers

visit much. more. That was too long

to visit.

That

hundred de-

the shade an' listened to gran'pa

in

the

All

funny,

funny an' great gran'pa was.

Ma

did go

I

sad or somethin'.

by

things

We

so close, gran'pa didn't

see him

to

Gran'pa was lonely

never asked.

He knew

livin'

gran'pa.

'cause he

o.k.

To be gone

o'

Some

I

never seen him cry

by a

truck.

He

cried

guess everybody loved gran'pa as much as me.

I

Gran'pa's leg was hurt bad, an' I

never even seen

scabby from

wondered what

it

much

talkin'

on the

fallin'

still

did nothin'

got

hate the truck driver.

was

after

street, an'

bein' so

like

he got

hlis

hit.

he looked kind

happy

face was o' sick.

an' then gittin'

it

o'

asked him though.

be "good

better.

another ward.

never said nothin'

I

It

agin.

made gran'pa if

He made city

Complainin',

I

way

they

make dead people

agin, but

look so fakey.

could see make-up.

made me go

but they

They closed

I

to the

My him a

Gran'pa lot.

I

is

gone now, but

love him.

I

I

never said

talk so,

to

him a

leg

Jonna Darnes

brace an' how clumsey

Gran'pa thought it was a Joke when them doctors said he had cancer, an' he kidded the nurses 'bout bein' allergic to isolation It

wasn't funny.

thin'

like

That All

when they put him

Old people

bein' in a hospital can

killed

gran'pa's

he talked

will

in

git lonely quick.

make

a single room.

I

guess some-

ya' sad an' really old.

power.

bout was how

sick

he was.

Gran'pa never

21

lot.

I

visit

but gran'pa knew.

real sad.

he used crutches.

a

I

Gran'pa wasn't no pouter, though. He jest made new His room sounded like one o' them Bob Hope soldier his

wanted

his casket.

gran'pa cried everyfime he got

Gran'pa joked 'bout

I

room where

friends.

shows.

eyes

an old person.

the

lonely.

My

My

mean.

saw him.

lake an'

his

in

sit.

I

never saw gran'pa agin.

moved him

friends

doctors

time

Gran'pa got the best spot in the graveyard. Right by under a big shade tree. He likes it, bet.

only took him 'bout three weeks

them stupid

made me wonder

That

It

gran'pa"

ol'

hospital room, but then to

I

last

like

like

look at him,

to

all

to gran'pa.

Then gran'pa got to

looked

don't

the family

couldn't never

'bout

I

that before.

like

teary the

Gran'pa looked young

I

bashed up.

I

all

He

face either.

his

Gran'pa wasn't

I

me, mine

I,

A

blessed lovely

Alas, through

No I

toil,

no

trio

life

strife

worship

Solo Mio.

Rachael Paschall

22-

ODE TO MORNING morning ...

it's

Someone

steps

.

.

to

.

.

.

of the

—

go

as they

by.

but no one ever does I

burned the

day passing

.

.

.

.

.

.

toast.

Click

.

.

Click

.

they had never heard such noise.

if

my head

they stare ...

two, three

the floor's cold ...

.

echo the sound

people stare as bury

—one,

make him stop

should

morning

It's

My I

know because the dog next door

I

barking at the cars

is

in

newspaper

the

them keep

of

all

my

whisper behind

back

.

.

.

.

.

riding the

.

subway

on

their eyes fixed

my

behind closed doors

.

.

.

form,

.

.

.

silence.

.

they know.

Click Loneliness creeps click

Pain eats

.

.

away

.

in

click at

my

.

I

can slurp

It's

my

.

.

all

.

click

fours

.

.

.

click

My

their stares,

I

click

.

.

.

to

.

.

.

is

night.

can breathe

I

.

.

.

know because the cat next door is

crying for love

Someone should But no

.

destination

and

coffee and undress.

night ...

.

and opens the door

.

thoughts.

The darkness removes and

.

on

let

.

her

.

In

.

.

.

one ever does.

Pam Richardson 23

.

He

flashed

"Well, I

WHAT HAPPENED

THEN?

well,

had

to

we

All

me

then gave

a look of

mock-awe.

Charles Taylor Howie, boy politician."

"Not quite

to laugh with him.

you know.

wanted

his Irish grin

well.

did was

sit

talk about who we came home. Nothing

picked one and

for governor,

'boy' at thirty-seven,

around and

it."

He

smiled again which

Blast the

He

man!

always

made me managed

Struggling to

gangling adolescent.

grin to

sort of sheepishly.

make me

overcome

feel

this,

I

like

a

asked,

"How'd you spend your vacation?"

A

sudden shadow passed over

closely akin to pain settled

how "Hey!

He

Pat!"

half-turned

I

called to the

and

I

tall

blonde man ahead

called again.

of

I

Good

call

me you

kid,

1

I

told

As we don't "I

was

finally.

"I

don't really know

"Walk home

with me,

on,

I

asked,

lift

in

from

"What's with you, Pat?

Sud-

the middle of the afternoon?" his

face as he shook "I

just

his

head.

don't

like to

go home alone."

are, son."

yourself, Charlie?"

shrugged, a flush of pride warming over me.

face and an expression

"No, not the dark," he scrowled, vaguely.

kid,"

smiled, very solemnly for him.

delegate to the convention."

his

his eyes.

try.

The gloom didn't

to see you, kid."

"Where you been keeping

he said,

it,"

denly afraid of the dark,

told him, laughing. "I'm six years older than

He

I'll

As we walked

"Pat Calloway!" This time

hurried to catch up with him. "Don't

I

describe

though, and

me.

he turned around and caught sight of me.

"Charlie Howie!

to

in

He

a

started to turn

live this

way,"

smiled wanly.

on."

him with careful careless-

We

ness.

24

walked

in.

I

down

Twelfth Street,

I

stopped. "You

protested.

"I

moved

while you were gone.

Come

was

"I

my

I

and

the speaker was.

scowled

wanted

I

to get

you before you

'Speaking,'

was holding a dead phone.

do

looking

said,

I

the

at

or

kill

i

just fallen

are you?

Who

to strike.

I

was hopeless.

if

You won't be much longer! had the whisperer

I

are you going to

kill?'

in

possibly sleep after that, so icy breakfast,

and headed

for

I

rose, dressed,

my

my

ease.

hands.

picked

my head

gulped down an

matter of fact."

low,

You do know Minor,

He

bank.

nine,

ring until

left

me

guess,

I

felt

I

and

Not enough

sleep,

take care of later,

I

I

guess.'

just

I

stood

'Howard

line.

the conversation

slowly replaced the receiver Joe,'

I

Calloway speak-

'Sheriff

He ended

'Go on home,

chair.

'You okay,

said,

Joe's puzzled gaze on me.

sheriff. Tonight.'

hands.

setting

I

staring after him,

familiar chuckle crept over the

my

The

He's there now, as a

felt distinctly

I

desk.

peaked, Joe.

sank into 'I'll

and

asked

I

grinned at him, trying to appear at

with his usual abruptness.

so he explained further. at the

I

He

all.'

my

up with a sinking sensation.

"An eternity the moon rose

"He's the new clerk

on our

it

Houghes' place,

don't you?"

shook

A

ing.'

couldn't

office.

"Paul Minor was there waiting for me.

it

until

shrilled insistantly in the brief silence.

and watched

I

at

about

feel pretty

'I

The phone

His soft chuckle I

Nothing

in

office

Minor?'

smiled very slowly and replied, 'Nothing at

Look peaked.'

Pat?

me

my

to

for you,

asked rather sharply. 'What can

I

stood by

I

"Joe came

who he was went home about or

floated over the line followed by a sharp click.

I

Calloway.

do

I

Pat laughed harshly.

went

1

there staring at

'Well,'

He

you?'

for

all,

asleep when the phone rang. 'Make

Sheriff.

clutched the receiver as

it

who he was

when he was going

had

yourself comfortable.

'Who

do

'We have something

went on rounds that night but

I

didn't even have any idea

just sat

uncomfortable.

curiously, as

"Joe and going to

He

absently.

was saying,

1

What can

found Minor there.

first.'

five a.m.

man. Well, as

"Little

won't be going yet,

'I

receiver.

glanced down and, on

pale as death, from the room.

raced,

Florida.

left for

He

cigarette.

a

catching sight of Pat and me, emitted a muffled shriek as he

He chuckled kill someone if you don't stop me.'

'And you can't stop me.' There was an abrupt click

I

Joe,'

We

who

I

going to

again.

to

a strange voice inquired.

there?'

followed the gesture and saw a thin man, puffing heavily

and frequently on

There was a chuckle on the other end as the man

'Good,

said,

I

minute questions when the phone rang.

last

tried to figure out just

I

said.

I'm

he began, "checking with Joe Lyie,

office,"

on

Sheriff

'Hello,

as

my

in

substitute,

I

and

head on

said,

this place.'

dropped beyond

the sun

to find

was perfect

me for

at

a

the town

and

Howard Houghes'

old place.

confrontation. The

shadowed

half-moon, the lurking patches of gloom spreading from the

gestured toward a second story window

ancient, deserted house, even the golden-haired hero.

somewhere,

left.

25

lurking in the dark, a killer-to-be

was

after

me."

And

We

stopped walking and stood next to a

walk,

He

I

me

smiled at

I

demanded,

im-

you

in,

practically Pat,"

I

wearily with a look of infinite pain and

"I'm tired,

eyes.

his

In

I'd invite

on,

the middle of the side-

in

"Well,"

"What happened then?"

patiently,

sadness

brick wall.

long,

but

.

."

.

stamped my

said.

"You

Charlie,

and we're home.

he shrugged. foot like a spoiled child.

just

can't leave

me

"Come What

hanging.

happened then?"

He

smiled

again

nothing, however.

and the sadness

He

just

intensified.

head bent and shoulders hunched, through the Like a bird fascinated wall

my

by a snake,

and rested on the sign

He

said

turned abruptly and walked, with

I

knew

I'd

wall.

eyes scaled the solid

see: "Riversen National

Cemetery."

Louise Dougherty

26

Posters

BLUE CHEER

down

stare lon

and white or schizophrenic colors cover

black

in

Fonda, Ginsberg, and the American Indian

the walls; Leary, at

you; advertising posters for San Francisco's Ava-

Ballroom and Fillmore Auditorium; messages to turn you

on, blow your mind, silk

screened

and

—

clutter

beads,

silver,

leather

trip glasses,

on a

The

little

You pass by

all

the

Peace Alley because you see down

at

the

shop

is

called

Blue Cheer.

other end a white sign painted in

the alley

summer

air.

It

gritty alley

is

a

dusty glass

in

small black letters

creative sign.

that takes

dim

The door

is

the

sounds

traffic

by brick buildings on both

front of the shop.

window

suspended

You walk down

where the sea sounds and

of the port city are muffled

and you stand

in

lost

sides,

tall

stool.

He

flower children

belong

open. The

up almost the whole

sandals,

alley

pocket-

carvings, elaborate roach

is

an ancient cash register,

will

see

in

register the proprietor of Blue is

a thin

who come

in

searching for a place to

those narrowing pupils love and goodwill

instead of dollar signs.

front of

lights

pleading for peace and love. So you go

belts,

hang

frontier

of oriental incense.

and the shop is dim, so you cannot see exactly what the wares of Blue Cheer are.

Through the open door drifts the notes of a hard rock ballad the store reflects the

a rack

crafted jewelry of copper

wood

and boxes

—

On

and fringed

Cheer sits young man, looking as though he never moves very much or very fast, and dressed in levis cut off above the ankles and a dingy tee-shirt.

His curly black hair is long and uncombed and it falls over his wire rimmed spectacles. His unfrimmed beard looks like coarse licorice-flavored cotton candy, spun out on a machine gone beserk. You look at his small dark eyes and wonder if the

and beside the cash

other shops on

goods

rough wooden counter

a

reality.

coarse cloth,

shelves along with

holders, water pipes,

On

of

Hand-made

jackets.

books

and stamp out

dresses

Karla Myers

in.

27

PEACE

Peace

is

just

and Peace

is

Peace

is

before the world wakes up the night has

just after

gone

to bed.

children having learned to sing, but

not yet to swear.

hands outstretched

fingers curl into

Peace

is

in

friendship before the

fists.

seeing someone's soul and loving him,

before seeing him with your eyes and hating him.

Peace

Is

standing up

Peace

Is

cheeks

tall

warm

enough

to kneel

down.

with the sun,

before they have

become

moist with fears.

Barbara Leahe'

28

AND THEN THE PARTING

How many

tears until happiness?

There are always a few more to cry.

How much If

As watch the things you do know that time can never change The personality of you.

I

peace

will

I

finally

have

ever stop wondering why?

I

How many more

times

will

fall in

I

love?

I

Could

in

some

Until

we may meet again Much changed from what we hope

that

I

will

know you

I

dark woods must

can find

later If

Year,

I

ever be able to say?

How many

For time can only rearrange

Appearance, and

I

tears are but rain to

Then

I

I

wander throuc

my way? make flowers grow,

should have flowers to spare.

are.

And

then.

will

1

That lined

collect

my

all

the silver

dark clouds of despair?

cannot believe that my God of Love Could let everything keep going wrong; So when finally I'm able to sing again, I

I'll

She

sing you an endless song.

Linda Pelikan

29

WIDE-AWAKE

FALL-I-NESS

Crisp apple bite-i-ness,

Warm

sweater breeze;

Witches', goblins' scare-I-ness,

Halloween and

kids;

Tickle nose smell-i-ness,

Bright motley trees;

Loud

football game-i-ness,

dry leaves;

Rattlely,

Gay,

friendly thank-you-ness.

Pumpkin Crackling

pie, turkeys;

fire

snuggleness,

Flame red Hard, brown

berr-ies;

nut-I-ness,

Quick gray

furr-ies;

School-time study-ness,

Soon, tinseled trees.

Edrie Bays

30

PATRONS Grant's Shopping Center

Stackpole Components

Company,

P.

O. Box

M

State Theater Farmville Manufacturing Co., Shopping Center Knit Korner

Moore's Distributing Co. Farmville Herald

Leggett's

Smitty Electric Co. Collins Florist

Owen-Sanford, Shopping Center Gray's Rexall

Newman's Martin The Jeweler Esther

May

Village

Shop

Crute's

Cedar Brook

Restaurant, Rice

Carter's Flower

Road

Shop

Baldwin's, Farmville, Virginia

Longwood

Jeweler, Farmville, Virginia

College Shoppe Sherwin-Williams Co. 31