Southern Illinois Poetry by John Gwaltney

John Gwaltney

Dedication

"Southern Illinois Poetry" is dedicated to the past: to the small rural communities with their mud roads, coal oil lights and horse drawn vehicles, and to the small trading posts and town where supplies were brought in by rail. This book is dedicated to the honest, hard working families who built their own homes, church and school; cleared the land, planted gardens and crops, cured their meat, made molasses, threshed grain and made their bread.

These poems are dedicated to the beautiful virgin forest and clear running streams who knew no pollution. It is my hope that generations to come will read "Southern Illinois Poetry" and know we passed this way.

John L Gwaltney

John Lastle Gwaltney was born August 18, 1917, on a farm near the small town of Broughton, Illinois. He grew up with a special love for the land, farm animals, and the surrounding wildlife.

He started writing at an early age and published "Back Country Poems" in 1964. He has appeared on several television stations and has written for magazines and newspapers.

"southern Illinois Poetry" is an attempt to share with readers among other things, the excitement of his fishing spot, a trip to the molasses mill, and butchering day on the farm.

Saddened by the erosion of his rural community, he writes of farm auctions and of empty farm homes being torn down and the land plowed.

Always aware of a higher power, he deals quietly with the subject of death. His vivid descriptions could come only from a man who is at peace with his surroundings. At age 67 he still resides in the home in which he was born.

John L Gwaltney Aug. 18 1917 June 23 1993

 

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Copyright 1985, John L. Gwaltney

 

Broughton History Saturday in Broughton 1928
Christmas Long ago Christmas trip to Grandfather's
Back Roads Christmas Christmas Old and New
Douglass Community North Fork
THE BARLOW KNIFE GRANDMA
SHAWNEETOWN THE GREAT STORM OF 1925
BROUGHTON HOMECOMING 1982 MY WORLD
Charlie Birger L & N R. R.
EMPTY FARMHOUSE The Candle
Butchering Day Sorghum Molasses
The Cedar-Tree winter
The Kildeer Farmer's Prayer
The Pastor Life
The Wild Flowers My Slingshot
The Auction My Wife
Foot Washing Old Frank
A Stroll With My Grandson Farm Auction
The Coon Hunter Coon Hunter Prayer
Hunting Tonight April & Snowy Wintertime
Audie Ray To the Children
AUTUMN The Mallard
GOLDEN AUTUMN THE DOLLY
SILENT LOVE ONE LOST
ME AND BLUE HALLOWEEN
MY BOOK & Our Home

 

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