Seasons of Discernment and Praise: God’s Word, My Heart’s Song

By Judith Lunney Merriam

A compelling variety of poetry and prose awaits the readers of Judith Lunney Merriam’s first book. Included in this inspiring collection are songs of praise and thanksgiving, and autobiographical reflections on life in Maine in the 1940s and ‘50s, as well as explorations of spiritual formation and growth in Christ Jesus, friends on friendship’s journey, prayerful connections, earth’s seasons and the seasons of life, and the gifts of silent retreats. The compilation and publication of SEASONS OF DISCERNMENT AND PRAISE is a natural progression in Merriam’s search for new ways of sharing her work, which can also be found on Facebook and at her website, resurrectioncrossrose.wordpress.com.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664242937

Judith Lunney Merriam

Judith Lunney Merriam formerly taught elementary school in Maine and New Hampshire, and served as a hospice volunteer in the Lancaster area of New Hampshire for many years. Merriam is now beloved as a Bible teacher in her local church fellowship in Kentucky. She began writing songs, poetry, and prose in 1995. Along with her husband, skilled in the craft of printing, Merriam produced nine booklets of poetry and an inspirational calendar. SEASONS OF DISCERNMENT AND PRAISE is her first book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Judith Lunney Merriam.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Unless marked otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4292-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4294-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4293-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021916981

Print information available on the last page.

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/02/2021

Contents

Friendship, a Journey of the Heart

Friendship as Retreat

The Blessedness of Brokenness

Prenuptial Gift

A Whimsical Fascination

Impressions of a Man

Suffering’s Fruit

Grade School Days

Yellowed Report Cards

Shadows and Reflections

Silent Reflections on My Way

Heart’s Recall

Growing through the Real Work of Make-Believe

Remembering When

The I Am

Jesus, the True Bread

A Blind Man Sees!

Words!

The Death of Lazarus

Which Way? Whose Way?

Some Paradoxes in Holiness

Learning to Wait upon the Lord

Saints

Come, Lord Jesus

Why? Why Do We Need Jesus?

Jesus, the Word of God, Our Salvation

God Is Love

Friendship in Christ

Blessings in Jesus

If

Too Crowded!

What’s in a Name?

But So That You May Know

Patience

Spirituality—What Is It?

The Prayer Chain

Growing through Struggles

I’m Weary, Lord Jesus

God’s Gift of Life

Jesus Is the Door, Faith Is the Key

Growing On from Here

In the Cave of Fear with Elijah

Joyce

Measured Moments, Treasured Time

There Is a Time to Rest

Enlarge Your Hearts

Walking in Holy Wonder

Praying in the Silence

Reflections on God’s Presence

Holy Mystery Revealed

To a Christian Graduate

Of Things Too Wonderful to Understand

Moment by Moment

A Wreath of Thanksgiving and Praise

Resurrection to Life, Saved to Live! 73403.png

A Contrite Heart 73403.png

God’s Grace 73403.png

When Jesus Is Your Saviour 73403.png

Come—Follow Me 73403.png

To See His Face 73403.png

For God Has Provided 73403.png

Refresh Our Hearts, Oh God 73403.png

Daring to Trust 73403.png

Jesus Is the I Am 73403.png

Praise His Name! 73403.png

Redeeming Love 73403.png

Oh, for the Joy! 73403.png

Precious Love 73403.png

Friendship in Jesus 73403.png

Kingdom Joys 73403.png

Jesus, God’s Promise 73403.png

Solitude 73403.png

Waiting in Trust 73403.png

Heart to Heart 73403.png

Walking by Faith 73403.png

Called to Freedom 73403.png

Called out of Bondage

As a Child 73403.png

Trav’ling with My Lord 73403.png

Prayer, the Precious Thread 73403.png

Sing Praise! 73403.png

Jesus’ Words from the Cross 73403.png

Reflections

Silence and Solitude

Magnifying God, My Saviour 73403.png

The Lonely Mailbox 73403.png

His Name Is Jesus 73403.png

And Call Him, Lord 73403.png

Rejoice Today, All Children of God 73403.png

Thanksgiving and Praise 73403.png

Once I Was Lost, but Now I Am Found 73403.png

Remember the Joy 73403.png

Never Forsaken 73403.png

God’s Grace, Amazing 73403.png

Jesus, My Psalm 73403.png

Christ Jesus, My Strength 73403.png

Jesus, Your Peace 73403.png

On Looking Back

Before Him, Falling

Good Grief

Hospice of the Lancaster, New Hampshire, Area

Sharing in the Waiting

I Was a Hospice Volunteer

Possibilities

Inspiration to Praise

An Ode to Odie, and Bosley, and Tyler Too!

A Bat Bizarre!

Robins Return

I Stood Amazed

A Ramble with Carly and Speck

The Firefly

You May Pass Through

Fullness of Heart

Fullness of Heart

My Jewels

A Most Precious Joy

What Child Is This?

Tabitha, Alive to Love’s Call

The Heart’s Treasure

Maielle

In Appreciation for Teachers

A Heart’s Longing

No Parentheses

A Friend Indeed

The Mystery of Love

Mama

A Day in Winter

A Prayer of Dedication

A Mismatch

A Patch of Red

A Stand of Trees

A Tale of Two Winters

A Visitation in a Dream

A Year in Review, 2003

Noble Hearts, Take Heart!

An Oak Tree’s Growing Pains

At Day’s Breaking

Autumn’s Blessing

Awake!

Blessings 73403.png

Che Bella Giornata!

Close to the Heart of February

Contentment, Wrapped in Gratitude

Dana

Depending Totally

Earthshake

Solar Eclipse

Encouragement in Suffering

Home Again from Italy

Reflections

A Generous Provision

Melodies in My Heart

A Quest for Understanding

Experiencing Encouragement

Falling into Autumn

Forgiveness 73403.png

Friendship Is a Journey

Buttonwood Farm

It is That Time Again

Almost There

Friendship’s Gifts

Friendship

From My Kitchen Window

From My Kitchen Window

Gathered Round a Table

Growing through Grief

Sharing in Family Griefs

Learning Obedience

Healing Wounds

Worldly Cares

Holidays

A Silent Retreat

The Trinity

A Ministry of Waiting

Homeward Bound on I-75 S

I Diamanti

Cinquains

Limericks

is this how it is?

Prayer, Heart’s Balm

Lenten Meditations

A Final Tribute

Listening to a Tree

Look to See, Listen to Hear

Marvels in the Clouds

Maude

Mid-October Leaves

My Gift to You

Spiritual Riches

My Mrs. Barnabas

Now and New

Ode to a Daffodil

On Looking Back

Pathways

Prayerful Connections

Prayers’ Mysteries

Reading Treasures

Remembrances of Home

Sadness

Shaken

Singularly at Work

Spring’s Surprise

Spring, Bashful and Bold

Summer’s Song

Thanksgiving 73403.png

The Aurora Borealis

the nature of secrets

The Need for Dialogue

Swallowed Up by Life

Compassionate Care

Appreciation

Forgiveness

Our Christian Heritage

For Spiritual and Physical Recovery

Sandy

Valentines

With Thanksgiving

What a Pill!

when a man is not

wind work

wonderings and sensitivities

Words

Silence

Song Sparrows

Song Sparrows

Uptacamp

Salvation: A Holy, Extravagant Gift

Who Is This Joe?

Debby

Savoring the Aromas of Christmas

Chocolate by Any Other Name 73403.png

Breakfast at Teresa’s Cafe

Merry Christmas

Fathers, a Reflection

Mothers, a Reflection

Aftermath

Life’s Blessing

Ladies’ Spring Tea

Travels

God Comforts, Calms, And Carries Us

POETRY – AMONG MY FAVORITE THINGS

Poetry is the offspring of thoughts, often unbidden,

but persistently pushing forward for attention.

Poetry provides for heart-felt disclosures of emotions,

of new and deeper insights into life and death.

Poetry is treasured moments of joy and delight, of triumph

and sorrow’s anguish, grief and loss.

Poetry draws from the heart and soul the need to assess,

to confess, to weep with thanksgiving.

Poetry inspires praise of the God of all comfort and the Father

of all compassion for His daily grace and mercies through Jesus

Christ our Lord.

Poetry yields fruit from our yesterdays to the aftermath of

today’s maturity.

Friendship, a Journey of the Heart

February 2003

Friendship is a journey of the heart

from birth to the grave and beyond.

Our earliest engagements, striving to survive,

drive us to seek the attention of another.

Friendship is a journey of the heart:

longings for intimate fellowship, for ties

that connect us with another,

permeate and mold our intentions.

We are born in need, to need.

Friendship is a journey of the heart,

expressed in words and deeds and silent pleas.

We yearn to know and to be known.

Knowing ourselves from another heart’s view

is to grow from within and without.

Friendship is a journey of the heart,

close communion within community.

Relationships grow roots in common ground.

Strength and resilience entwine tender shoots,

encouraging explorations on new paths.

Friendship is a journey of the heart,

and time is of the essence.

Time is friendship’s field and boundary.

Desiring, seeking, and knowing intimate

friendship is to find life’s most precious gift.

Friendship is a journey of the heart

into the heart of God, who has placed

that desire for eternity within us

for all time and beyond time. Living

always with the Beloved, in the Beloved,

is His gracious gift and promise to those

whose faith and trust are in His Son, Jesus.

Psalm 25:14 (NRSV): The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.

Friendship as Retreat

No matter how we meet, or when or where, through all our senses—seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling—memories are made.

While making memories, we share ourselves. When face-to-face, or page by page, or taking time by telephone, our conversation sparkles and glows.

Friendship’s base is freedom. Freedom to retreat, to focus on, to settle down beside whether near or far away. Vulnerable creativity, an awareness of the other’s vulnerability, a gradual exploration, exposing the heart, the mind, the soul of oneself, with confidence.

Like a rare flower, like a rare gem, friendship is clothed with a sensitive protection. Wrapped round with a fine strength, it bears all through joys and sorrows. A sense of wonder, of specialness, of curiosity, bearing gifts, receiving gifts. Freedom to be the bearer and the receiver. Retreating sub rosa.

Retreating into friendship is an invitation, a quiet, vibrant joy. Friendship is a gift from God. His invitation to friendship with Jesus welcomes us, shows us how.

Friendship’s retreat is a refuge, a safe space, a place to rest, freedom to become. Freedom to grow in heart and in spirit.

Psalm 34:8: O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

The Blessedness of Brokenness

for Warren H. Davis Jr., with an eye to paint

Pieces of brown and green beach glass, worthless refuse glinting in sun’s glare. How long their restless, resting place? Ragged, jagged edges, some smoothed by time’s sure drift and tide, had in a moment been tossed aside by someone’s careless, deliberate hand.

Coveted and gathered up by a transformer with an eye to paint and transfigure, refuse becomes a symbol of refuge. The cross of Christ is made translucent, a reminder of the blessedness of brokenness.

Two peoples, by a wall of hostility divided, through Jesus’ cross, His precious blood, His healing wounds, provided the way to peace by breaking down that wall between Gentile and Jew.

No longer two but one people of God. Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation. Jesus, our hope and our God. Jesus, our access by one Spirit to the Father. His kingdom has come within us.

Romans 14:17: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Prenuptial Gift

for Heart to Heart Bible-study group, Groveton Methodist Church, New Hampshire

June 9, 2000

our Bible class together again

first food and drink for the body

then food and drink for the soul

a study group in progress

women gathered to share in one spirit

heart to heart

voices are abruptly muted as

the doorbell announces

then a pregnant silence

puzzled glances

who is it?

suddenly and swiftly

joyful reunion commences

a joyful communion of senses

eyes meet in gladness

that familiar face

all ears alert to that familiar voice

hugs one by one, heart clasped to heart

she is for each one

a serendipity

photographs passed ‘round

delightful introductions to love’s fellow

remembrances renewed

news of her engagement

engagement ring and the wedding

travel plans to follow

all shared with tender memories

of other times and places

other faces, recalled to hearts and minds

a brief, special interruption

a prenuptial gift

it’s time to part again

her camera is at the ready

the group is gathered and arranged just so

on the front porch steps

click, click, click

once again, one more photo

too good to miss

lovely faces, lovingly captured

to take away with her

she must be on her way now

we make our way back inside and take up

where we were in the day’s reading

positively assured this plan is His plan

giving thanks and praise to God, who

enlightens and enriches and encourages

us in all our days, in His grace and truth

A Whimsical Fascination

Onions and roses, a fascinating twosome,

obvious in their differences, striking in their similarities.

Sharp tools are required for safe, precise handling.

With thorns that prick and a smell that smarts,

neither wound lasts but hurts the heart.

Both are delicate yet hardy.

One for the salad or the stew, one for the party.

Take an appreciative sniff of the stew.

Inhale an appreciative whiff of the bouquet.

It’s a matter of opinion whether either

is called fragrant or odoriferous, or just OK.

But too much of either is too much!

One is inspected for its usefulness.

The other is admired for its beauty.

One is aggressively approachable.

The other invites a gentle and respectful touch.

Both have a certain fragility yet are firm and

tightly wound to the core.

Both are God’s gifts to us.

The rose, in its budding, holds the promise and

the delight of its unfolding.

As it opens, its fragrance intensifies.

Each petal reveals its separateness and its

connection to its center.

When color and fragrance fade,

it easily falls apart.

The onion’s outer skin is flaky and dry,

but as the many layers are separated,

it is moist and delicate yet firm.

Its flavor intensifies near its heart.

Though handled quickly and efficiently,

its intense vapors may still move one to stinging tears.

Its common usefulness and availability

mark its ordinariness.

Its flavor enhances or detracts from its appeal.

The rose, on the other hand, is handled with care

and awe-filled attention.

Its uncommon use, its special occasionality,

often mark life’s milestones.

Stirring the senses and evoking intense emotions,

the deliberate profusion of color and variety

may suddenly trigger a memory and move one

to tears of joy or sorrow.

A single rose, or a dozen, may be received with

equal delight or dismay. Although the gift may be given to

either, the fairer sex is more often the receiver.

Wherein lies this whimsical fascination for me?

In Christian tradition, the rose is a symbol for the heart.

By God’s grace, perceiving that the heart of the matter

is often the matter of the heart, we may leave to God

that judgement that belongs only to Him.

A humble, contrite heart God will not despise

but will nurture, allowing for growth and maturity,

gently encouraging, caring for the inner sensitivities,

passions, and sufferings of all those He chooses and calls

through the good news of Jesus Christ.

Only God knows our hearts and knows us by heart.

We choose according to outward appearances, but

God, who is righteous and holy and just,

chooses according to the heart.

The Sword of the Spirit is the sharp, precise tool

that God uses in His labor of love in the human heart.

Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is quick, and powerful,

and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the

dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and

marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the

heart.

James 2:12–13 cautions Christians about judging with partiality

when he advises us that "So speak ye, and so do, as they

that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have

judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and

mercy rejoiceth against judgment."

Impressions of a Man

We know he is being brought in. The ambulance is on its way. It’s here! I notice first his big solid, black-soled shoes as the stretcher is wheeled into the minor emergency room. To go with them is a long body capped with white hair. He is wearing a beautiful cream-colored sweater with a warm-looking collar. It’s a gray, rainy mid-October morning.

A doctor approaches on one side. A nurse comes to take his vitals. He’s been here before. Different faces and voices ask questions, which are hard for him to hear and process.

We have entered the room and stand observing. As new trauma support volunteers, we have come to complete our observation time in the emergency room and are eager to be involved in our roles.

What is he thinking as he watches strangers watching him? We wait to introduce ourselves at an appropriate moment. He is gracious and accepts our hands into his larger ones, which warm and wrap ours. His eyes are kindly, and he is patient. We feel welcomed into his presence.

We learn that he loves baseball and that he had played first base for a farm team. My newfound enthusiasm for the game and knowledge of the upcoming World Series teams delight his ears.

His nickname is Scoop. He wears it proudly and appreciates our having learned about it from a favorite family member and familiar friend who has come to be with him. When he saw her come in, his eyes lit up and joined his mouth in a smile of recognition. It pleases him that we already know one another.

He is a few years older than we had guessed. His life has been spent in service to others, and our impressions of a hardworking, godly man are in harmony with the loving testimony of his relative by marriage and friend of many years.

At almost eighty-nine, he is a fine fellow and a gentleman. He is a little older than our fathers would have been now. We appreciate his joy in us and tell him that our being together is a lovely serendipity, an unexpected pleasure. His eyes twinkle at this new word, and he agrees with us that we are all being blessed by God’s goodness.

Naturally, our conversation turns to things of the holy, as he remembers a favorite Italian priest and his complimentary words for him that still warm his heart in the telling. His own prayer for things to turn out all right is precious to hear and encourages him and us.

We thank him for his teaching us and allowing us to share this time with him. Our hearts sing as we say goodbye, and giving a parting wave, we go on to other appointments. He waits to be released back into the nursing home, which is his temporary residence.

2 John 6: And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Suffering’s Fruit

Involvement

Involvement of one’s heart and mind and spirit is a necessary investment of energies to bring to fruition one’s present hopes.

Volunteers for many causes are often birthed as a result of their own growth through suffering and pain. Proverbs 9:10: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.

Opportunities to know oneself, to breathe the awareness of life’s sweetness, while being wrapped in the compassionate gaze of Jesus, open one’s heart to serve others with patient joy.

2 Corinthians 9:10: Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

Learning to live is learning to love, as God loves us in Christ Jesus, empowered by Holy Spirit, by His grace and in His truth, learning to love ourselves as God loves us, learning to love others as we love ourselves.

Luke 10:27: And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

1 John 5:11–12: And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Valiant and vigorous resistance are often twins in our valleys of decision. Voices of bewilderment, of confusion, of protest, are stilled, eventually, by the voice of the One with whom we have to do.

Psalm 29:4: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

We also hear His voice in Jesus’ invitation: Matthew 11:28–30: Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Energized by the gift of His involvement within us and His Holy Spirit to empower us, we can dare to do, can dare to be and to become one with Him in His love and His work, for the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 2:8–10: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Moved with compassion, through our own sufferings, God gifts us with abilities to serve in ways that grow us up into His image in Jesus Christ. Each time our vulnerabilities to life’s pain are felt and experienced, He suffers us to become more aware of our need of His grace, which prompts our hearts to repentance and obedience.

Colossians 1:10–11: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

Enriched and encouraged, we continue the good fight of faith, growing in our desire and our willingness to be involved with others and their pain, knowing even our very desire is God’s grace to us.

1 Peter 4:11: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Nourished by others’ needs and serving our own, too, we are grateful for the training we receive by the many and varied interactions we are privileged to experience as we are led by the Holy Spirit, learning to love, as we live in love.

Titus 2:11–12: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Grade School Days

Fort Street School

Mars Hill, Maine

tall and slim, wavy white hair, long dark dresses

black laced-up old-woman shoes

kindly and gracious

the only teacher in our school who

before our lunch pails were opened

offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Mrs. Annie Lake, kindergarten, at five years, 1946/47

Good morning, she’d say, with a hard g sound

following the -ing. Our dutiful voices would join her in singing,

"Good morning to you, good morning to you.

We’re all in our places with sunshiny faces.

And this is the way to start a new day."

How very daintily she ate, chewing each bite many times.

Sitting at our desks, watching her, our lunches disappearing

rather more quickly and greedily. But I, more conscious of

carefulness, observing hers.

In 1962, she was my supervising teacher and I her student

teacher in her first grade in Presque Isle, Maine.

Did she still say Good morning with a hard g sound?

Mrs. Hazel Shaw, first grade, at six years, 1947/48

beautifully waved hair with a strange bluish tint

old-woman-style shoes

a special birthday chair painted yellow by us children

in our reading circle, we each cupped a hand to an ear

and repeated after her, Eh? for the short sound of e

just like the little old lady who could no longer hear well

my favorite chartreuse-green-and-brown-plaid-covered

reader was seen later in a treasured dress of a similar plaid

a big circle for the skirt, a neighbor’s tree

a hurried, graceless jump from the moving swing

a three-cornered tear and tears held back in sadness and

regret for not having changed my school clothes

as I had been taught

Miss Gladys Knox, second grade, at seven years, 1948/49

My pretty new teacher was getting fatter and fatter!

Much later, after I had innocently told her so, I learned she

was going to have a baby. Such embarrassment!

Children were innocent then.

Mrs. Lois Terrell, third grade, at eight years, 1949/50

a very self-conscious child, a new believer in Christ Jesus

arithmetic class and problem-solving skills

the dreaded time was now upon me, my turn to answer

I didn’t have it

Billy, sympathetic to my plight, tried to whisper the answer

to me, but I must stand alone as my teacher shows me how

my report card records an Excellent first term and three

Very Good terms

Mrs. Virginia Osgood, fourth grade, at nine years, 1950/51

The new principal was calling the roll.

Irrepressible snickers burst forth as my last name

was mispronounced.

Unsought, I became the teacher’s pet in math class.

Our homeroom teacher also ran a boardinghouse in town.

Her unusual style of wearing her kerchief in winter, still

exposing her ears to the cold, always puzzled me.

She was sensitive to the quirks of her students. One day as I

was discovering that objects moved when I squinted one

eye closed and then the other, she gently tapped me on the

shoulder to remind me my assignment came first. I still

chuckle at that. Though it was embarrassing, it was not made

a classroom’s business.

Mrs. Vera Mackay, fifth grade, at ten years, 1951/52

tall and slim with reddish-blond hair, stylish and elegant

yes replaced yuh, and my vocabulary grew

no, she did not have eyes in the back of her head, as we had

thought but we could be observed in the reflection of the large

picture above the blackboard, and unaware, noncompliant

students were surprisingly caught in their misbehavior

I was a young woman now, growing up, a big sister who helped

to mother our family when our mother was away for a time

in later years, as a student teacher, I traveled with Mrs. Graves

to a teachers’ meeting out of town, and during our high school

reunion in 1998, we met again, and I shared my poetry with her

still elegant and gracious to remember all my sisters and

brothers, whom she had taught

Mrs. Dawn Graves, sixth grade, at eleven years, 1952/53

Our new homeroom teacher is a man.

He’ll become a father in this school year to a baby daughter.

Ancient History is a whole new world.

Standing together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance was

habitual and important, but being able to write what we had

just said was a stickler.

Growing pains, preadolescent crushes and crises.

Our family will also know many changes. The first son will

marry. The first grandchild will be a delight, and I’ll be called

Aunt for the first time.

Greetings were exchanged again at our 1998 high school

reunion. He has been a friend to our family through the years.

Mr. Emmet Porter, seventh grade, at twelve years, 1953/54

box socials and dances

toes stepped on—his

silly spin-the-bottle games

getting caught reading my own book

while the