Echoes and Shadows of Life: As Revealed in Folk Poetry, Old Photographs and Art

By B.G. Webb

Here is a creative work for those who want to take a journey into the human experience through old photos, poems, and art. The poems are about special people and pets who enter our lives and leave an impression on us. The photos and sketches reflect common experiences that we hear and see. It ends by the authors conclusions about the meaning of it all and what factor is the most important in dealing with the ups and downs of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504979597

B.G. Webb

As a small Jewish boy B.G. learned to love two things – fairy tales and chihuahuas. After being saved from being killed along with his parents and sister by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, he was brought to the United States and adopted by the Jewish family. His parents and grandparents often read stories to him to help him learn English and to stimulate his imagination. As a result of the horrifying experience of seeing his folks killed by Nazi soldiers, he suffered emotional problems. Other kids didn’t know what to think about him when he had seizures. He found great comfort in the companionship of small dogs. B.G. has written many books about the emotions of common folk. By the way he never learned his real name. That along with his parents was lost in the mass execution of Jewish folk. He decided to write this book for children because it reflects his love for fairy tales and Chihuahuas. If you wish to learn more about the author, go to his website – www.bgwebbfolkpoetry.com.

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© 2016 B.G. Webb. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/23/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7960-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7959-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016902529

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Dedication

To Miss Hill who was my 5th grade teacher at Willard Grade School and my classmates. May your voices and shadows remain with me always. They are happy remembrances that I cherish.

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A Truly Diverse Group of Folk

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Contents

Introduction

Art

Weddings

Pets

Having Fun — 1920s

Reunions

Play Time — 1930s

Serving in the Armed Forces

Women Also Served Our Country

Graduations

Brothers and Sisters

Church Going

Folk Poetry

The imp who spread happiness everywhere

The blue-collar guy who worked for Ford & Co.

One Tough Cookie

The Neighborhood Farmer

He is one hot taco from Mexico.

Miss Thunder and Lightning

The man known for saying shit happens

Two Ladies from Sweden

Kelly the Maverick

The Terror of Willard Grade School

The Lady with the Caring heart

Miss Confidence Personified

The couple who loved each other and their neighbors

The Purple Lady

A Mafia Member?

Why did it happen to Frankie?

The gal who loved horses

The Man Who Liked To Hide

He loved acting on stage and in life

One Smart Guy

The Fragile Lady With a Smile

The Popcorn Lady

Ode To Peggy Sue

Why did it happen to Ken?

A Love Poem to Marlene Dietrich

An Ode to Young Herby Dale

The Foreign Student From India

It’s all about genes baby.

The Maiden Lady and the Oversoul

A Little Brother’s Poem to His Big Brother

The Stray Cat Named Baby

The Man Who Sat in the Wrong Pew

A True Believer in a Caring Heavenly Father

Mr. Independent

A Love Poem to Tennessee

The teacher who lost his cool

The Unforgettable Aunt Rose

A Salute To A Brave Lesbian

Perceptions from echoes and shadows

About The Author

Introduction

In life we all meet interesting characters and personalities When I use the phrase interesting characters and personalities I’m including dogs and cats as well as human beings.

Some of these leave a positive effect on us while others leave a negative one. Some simply leave us with puzzlement. We don’t quite know what to think of them.

In the following pieces I have tried to describe some of the people and pets in my life who have left a lasting impression. My descriptions of them are like echoes and shadows of the feelings I have about them.

Often when I visit antique malls, I find black and white photos with no names written on or next to them. Despite that, when I study the figures, I feel what they are expressing. Their silent communications are like the shadows on the wall -— dark, still, yet crying out their unspoken emotions.

I have included many black and white photos of people in the book. I have attempted to express