Carrie Talcott (Leonard’s Mother) was a prolific writer of poetry. Below are some words she wrote in and around 1939. Her children had left home; and war in Europe was intensifying.
Saturday, 1 July 1939
The Talcott family of Randalia, Iowa
Peculiar Person (This could explain all the letters on this site)
A most peculiar person is living here it seems
She gets her household duties all mixed up
with her dreams.
Early in the morning she seems to be all right
But when it's nearly mail time, her actions
are a sight.
She stands and wipes a single dish, five
minutes, maybe more.
She could have had them all done up
And also swept the floor.
But she watches for the mailman and says things
to herself;
When she ought to wipe the dishes, and put
them on the shelf.
She is looking at the cupboard, but she sees
a baby boy,
A college girl, a school ma'am and the ones
in Illinois.
Her home is big and quiet with the children
all away,
But she thinks she'll get a letter
Maybe two of them, today.
War Shall Not Be (The memories of WWI are fresh)
War shall not be for if it come
With marching feet and beat of drum
Our boys, our nation's hope will be
Pawns, in War's game of Destiny.
Into that hell of bombs and gas
The loved youth of our land will pass
While we at home with hearts that bleed
Long lists of casualties will read.
And when at last War's voice is stilled
When graves and hospitals are filled
Many will mourn as the requiems said
Many will mourn for the living dead
Then 'round a table men will meet
Old men with words suave and discreet
Will say "it shall be thus and so
Because of crosses row on row".
Now let the people's voice be heard.
"War shall not be" is our final word.
Here's the council table; 'tis yours to see
God's hand writing "War shall not be".
The Prime Minister Speaks (Carrie, of English decent, Hearing the call for help)
What voice is that
Rumbling and booming
And gathering volume like approaching thunder
Calling the roll of those
Whose "blood and sweat and tears"
Are Freedom's bulwark
What forebear's ghost
Aroused by Churchill's voice
Pounds at my veins
Shouts
"British blood is calling British blood!"
