Document text
Poet was Guest in our Corner My father-in-law (102 years old) remembers that somewhere in the last 40 years there was a poet, Edgar Guest, who published very short poems in your paper. He would like to know if there is a book of poems of his or if he was just a local poet. -- Jo Ann H., Prospect Your father-in-law is right on, Jo Ann. The poetry of Edgar Guest (1881-1959) first appeared in the Detroit Free Press in 1895, when he was just 14. Although ignored by critics, Guest won legions of fans over the years with his punchy poems on sentimental subjects and became known as "the poet of the people." Your father-in-law probably saw some of Guest's poems in the Mail Tribune's Poets' Corner, which started as a regular Sunday feature in February 1961 and continued for 16 years. The Corner was edited by Arnold Jenny, a native of Switzerland and a YMCA executive who lived in the Rogue Valley Manor until his death in 1977. He was known in the newsroom as the "official volunteer poetry editor." Some of Guest's books are still in print, and some of his poems can be found on the Web at sites such as www.dnc.net/users/garrenmg/quotes/myself.htm or www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lights/8557/edgarg.htm Here's a sample of Guest's work: Roses and Sunshine Rough is the road I am journeying now, Heavy the burden I'm bearing to-day; But I'm humming a song, as I wander along, And I smile at the roses that nod by the way. Red roses sweet, Blooming there at my feet, Just dripping with honey and perfume and cheer; What a weakling I'd be If I tried not to see The joy and the comfort you bring to us here. Just tramping along o'er the highway of life, Knowing not what's ahead but still doing my best; And I sing as I go, for my soul seems to know In the end I shall come to the valley of rest. With the sun in my face And the roses to grace The roads that I travel, what have I to fear? What a coward I'd be If I tried not to see The roses of hope and the sunshine of cheer. (Send your questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; or by fax to (541) 776-4376; or by e-mail to: [email protected] Please include your name, address and phone number for verification.) Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA