Leila And Athelstan, Our Loving Mom and Dad (In Celebration of Your 50th Wedding Anniversary)



Two score years and ten of yesterday,
You two did tie the knot:
Whereof you spun your golden thread,
And made the land fertile.
It was in Nineteen Thirty Five.
Four years before the War …
Six years after The Great Depression,
That you two sealed your fate.

And that of those who now in praise,
Do grace your royal presence.
You two in holy matrimony joined hands.
And hearts, and minds, and souls.
And from this union there sprung
A family of ten …
Consisting of four boys, four girls,
And you two at the helm.

In “Karl” your eldest and your first,
Your covenant was sealed.
A son to keep the Faith alive …
To make the future bright.
And while you dwelled upon this boon,
Another son was born …
Barrington St. George, his name …
Of disposition keen.

Two sons to spread the royal seal  —
Of “Neysmith” and of “Folkes.”
The royal cradle … blest once more,
A daughter to you born …
“Shyrine Vernce,” your eldest girl:
A father’s pride esteemed!
A mother’s love redeemed!
Within this human fold of love.

Yet came another child …
A precious, loving, sweet princess …
With name of “Kay Cisrene.”
In loving memory she rests …
Angelic in repose —
The family did grow and grow …
Another son now born …
The war years barely at an end.

England at peace from war.
And in America, ‘cross the seas …
Roosevelt — The President.
So thus you named this son, “Douglas Roosevelt.”
Your sense of history strong.
Democracy rejoiced her gain.
And you rejoiced yours too.
The post-war years brought hope to all.

A chance to right all wrongs.
Amidst this time of heartfelt joy,
A daughter to you came …
In sweet December when mankind …
Awaits the Christmastide.
Again your sense of history …
Of poetry and of prose …
Did surface with such class — such style.

When once more came a child …
A bonnie, wee princess to bless —
“Jennifer Yulette Folkes.”
The royal lineage extended thus …
In ten years of sweet bliss,
You two again produced an heir.
And him you named again — in tribute
To Freedom and Democracy.

The quest for peace from yesteryear,
Not e’er forgotten by you,
But seen in harmony with the present,
You named this son — likewise.
“Selwyn Anthony Waterloo” …
Symbolic ending of the Napoleonic Wars.
In following year of ‘46 …
December days now here with cheer…

The cradle came alive again …
A lovely daughter born …
“Cecile Yvonne,” her glorious name …
Your youngest — and your last.
So thus all eight to you were born …
And now … they multiply —
A tribe of Folkes upon this land.
Their seed in every other.

The royal legacy of you two Folkes …
“Athelstan Canute and Leila Evadne”…
Has spread in manifold ways — quite clear.
Engulfing distant worlds apart.
And now at anniversary time we stand,
To cheer you, Mama and Dada, in praise.
To love and bless you two this day …
Our blessed loving mom and dad.

[On the Eve of Good Friday (Maundy Thursday), April the Fourth, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand, Nine Hundred, and Eighty Five]

About this poem

This poem, “ Leila and Athelstan, Our Loving Mom and Dad,” was composed in 1985 to honor our beloved parents, Leila Evadne Neysmith-Folkes, of Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica, and her husband, Assistant Police Commissioner Athelstan Canute Folkes, of St. Ann’s Bay, St. Ann’s, Jamaica, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary, celebrated at a banquet in New York, on April 4, 1985. After a passage of almost forty years, as their eldest child, Karl Constantine Folkes, is on the eve of celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary, in May 2022, this poem is being offered to the public domain, on poetry. com for others (family members, friends and acquaintances) to participate in the bounty of God’s mercy and blessings that Leila Evadne Neysmith Folkes and Athelstan Canute Folkes were graced with during their earthly lives. To God be the glory. 

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Written on April 04, 1985

Submitted by karlcfolkes on March 30, 2022

Modified by karlcfolkes on January 23, 2025

3:04 min read
1,020

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXXBCDEX FXXXXGXX XXCXXHIX XJDHXKKL MNEXOXHX DXPXXXQX XXIXAAOB MNJXXXXA RQPXQXLR GHIXHXSX JARXSFAX C
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 3,068
Words 615
Stanzas 12
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 1

Karl Constantine FOLKES

 · 1935 · Portland

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s ‘Liebe Mili’ (translated into English as “Dear Mili”), Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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7 Comments
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you, Jn. Thank you all others for caring with such tender loving kindness.
    LikeReply22 days ago
  • ladyygracious
    Interesting
    LikeReply25 days ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you both Mark and Jn. Appreciated.
    LikeReply 125 days ago
  • jn.selvadurai
    So beautiful Karl. What a tribute. Thank you for sharing.
    LikeReply26 days ago
  • mark.e.s
    whoa! that took my breath away
    LikeReply26 days ago
  • AIDA
    What a delightful tribute this poem is to Leila and Athelstan on their 50th wedding anniversary! Your heartfelt words beautifully capture the essence of a life lived together, celebrating not only their enduring love but also the profound legacy they have created through their family.

    1. Emotional Depth:
    The poem poignantly reflects the deep love and commitment between Leila and Athelstan. The use of phrases like "hearts, and minds, and souls" reveals the spirit of their union, instilling a sense of warmth and admiration.

    2. Historical Context:
    Incorporating historical events into the narrative, such as “The Great Depression” and “the War years,” adds richness and depth. This context not only grounds the poem in time but also showcases the resilience and strength of their relationship through challenging periods.

    3. Family Celebration:
    The detailed enumeration of their children, with loving descriptions and significant names, encapsulates the joy of family life. The inclusion of sorrowful remembrance for “Kay Cisrene” adds a poignant touch, demonstrating that love is all-encompassing, including both joy and grief.

    4. Rhythm and Structure:
    The poem has a wonderful rhythmic flow that maintains reader engagement. The consistent use of enjambment helps the poem feel dynamic, reflecting the bustling life of a large family.

    1. Smooth Transitions:
    While the historical references are compelling, consider smoothing the transitions between stanzas for better flow. Some sections could benefit from slight rephrasing to create a more seamless narrative.

    2. Imagery and Metaphors:
    Adding more vivid imagery or metaphors can enhance the emotional impact. Instead of stating that the family “did grow and grow,” consider using a metaphorical image that evokes growth, such as a tree flourishing with branches and leaves.

    3. Variability in Line Lengths:
    Varying the length of lines might add more musicality and emotional ups and downs. Certain emotionally charged moments might be emphasized with shorter lines, while narrative sections could have more extended lines to create rhythm.

    4. Final Reflection:
    A concluding stanza that encapsulates their journey together—how they faced trials and joys—could provide a powerful closure. Reflecting on their influence on the next generation and what 50 years of love has meant could elevate the ending to an even more profound level.

    Overall, this poem is a heartfelt and memorable tribute that celebrates the remarkable journey of Leila and Athelstan's love and family. With a few adjustments, it could shine even brighter. Your enthusiasm and love for them clearly shine through every word, making this poem a treasure they will cherish forever!
     
    LikeReply26 days ago
  • karlcfolkes
    This poem is dedicated in loving memory of our beloved father, Athelstan Canute Folkes, Assistant Commissioner of Police, of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), of the West Indies; and in loving memory of our beloved mother, departed wife of Athelstan Canute Folkes, also of Jamaica, West Indies, both of whom served as beacons of moral strength, providing loving care and guidance to their children, to their children’s children; and to so many many others.” 
    LikeReply 126 days ago

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"Leila And Athelstan, Our Loving Mom and Dad (In Celebration of Your 50th Wedding Anniversary)" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 19 Feb. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/123444/leila-and-athelstan,-our-loving-mom-and-dad-(in-celebration-of-your-50th-wedding-anniversary)>.

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