Violet Godfrey Lodi, WI, USA

Violet Godfrey (pen) Chick - for humorous newspaper column "Scratches by Chick"; (b) July 17, 1911 in Lodi, WI; (p) George and Josie Brown Carncross; (m) Robert Godfrey, deceased, September 10, 1935; (ch) Arita Jevens and George Godfrey; (ed) BA degree, Journalism University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; (occ) publishing poetry, walking the dog, caring for lawn and flowers; (mem) United Methodist Church, Wisconsin Alumni Assoc., Lodi Valley Historical Society, and Korean Exchange program. (Hon) Dictionary of International Biography 1963, Who's Who, Waubun Scholarship. (Other Writing) Oconomowoc Enterprise, Oconomowoc, WI, Lodi enterprise, Lodi, WI. Travel and writing for world peace and intercultural learning.

Morning I woke up early, which is rare-- Darkness was still everywhere. My birds were still asleep-- I'm hearing not a peep, Not a single chirp or song. But God's presence was so strong! I had faith that dawn would come-- It always does-'tho just wherefrom Is a mysterious state For us to ruminate. I thanked Him for this treasure-- This special pre-dawn pleasure! It is a miracle all right To watch the blackishness of night Turn to tones of tempered gray-- A curtain rises for the play Of day to start once more, A time to stretch - and to adore!

Nostalgic They say you can't go back. But I saw no harm-- I felt a need-- In fact, compelled To visit the old farm But when I took the jaunt My recall had played tricks-- Old haunts were there But charm had waned From my old stones and sticks. The horse tank now was steel; Machines stood in a ring. The barnyard gate We used to drag, Now hinged for easy swing. I recognized Old Sal-- Near blind - now halt and lame. My dog went "Woof!" And sniffed her hoof. She kicked loose rein and hame. High-tail bedlam now prevailed In cow shed and corral-- Decorum lost, The melee cost Contented - cud morale. A hog came bounding toward me All caked with shiny crud-- But hogs don't bound! Cripe, it's my hound! aglow in barnyard mud!

All poems Copyright © 1997 Violet Godfrey. All rights reserved.