Subject: The beginning of the letters to/from Royle About November 1974
About the time that Uncle Royle was diagnosed with Cancer, we began to write poetic letters. These letters continued until his death. I will not attempt to rewrite all of them, for they represent many years of sometimes several times a week. I haven't had the heart to write such poetic letters since my dear, dear Uncle went to join the angels in heaven. But I thought, in tribute to Uncle Royle, My dear cousin Ava, who has also joined her father in heaven, gave me the poetic letters that I wrote to Uncle Royle. I kept all of his letters. I intended one day to put them all together in a book, but just never quite had the heart to do so. They bring back so many memories, that I wasn't sure they were meant to be shared. I will share some of these letters now, as we leave behind a century which to me was the best years of my life. For I had the greatest Uncles and Aunts that God ever blessed anyone with. My mother, who left me a legacy that I will never begin to fully live up to, is also gone. In tribute to all of the Helle's no longer with us, and in tribute to Uncle Royle, a beloved and dear friend, I would like to share the following poems.
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
I hope to see you, but I don't know when.
So til that day, I will just use the Pen. Yesterday, Dec. 19th, I went to Iowa city
It rained a little, then turned real prettyNorman, Ilene went too. Norman drove my car
Norman got a check up too. Hadn't been up to par.Had some Arthritis in hands, hard to hit a tack
They said he had a strong mind and a weak backAnd they found out I had a strong back and a weak mind
And we were lucky to be of opposite kindSo we came for me, feeling chipper and gay
Feeling pretty good about what they had to sayTalked to Nellie, said Lawrence's wife is coming back
26th of December. Will have Santa Claus and sack.Next March 4th I get my store bought teeth
I will quit hamburger and get genuine beef.Tonight the kids and I will play saws
While school kids eat with Dads and Ma'sA big chilli supper in old Ellisville School
Where kids were made into a smart fool.Mark, Dan and Steve are all three here
To bring old grandpa some Christmas CheerThen came Rodney and Stacy too, Banish any fear
This old house is jumping up and down'Five boys chasing each other around
You are a lucky woman I can seeYou get a blessing from adversity
Instead of whaling, weeping aroundLike a ship under sail, You are not aground
Hold a true course, go straight aheadKeep looking for a good man to share your bed.
As Ever,Spoon River Poet,Royle P.S. Sunday Morning
Steves grandpa arrives from Georgia. Claims he couldn't play
For Chilli Supper at old school for the young and grayWe had a great time, seen many old friends
For growing old, gray makes many amendsOld friends are the best friends, we all agree
``And you, my friend are very dear to me.
And you, my friend are very dear to me.And your children, I pray for them too.
Good health to them, and you too.Dear Uncle Royle,
Now with snow falling all aroundDeep and white upon the ground
As sled flying down the hill
Time for boys to take a spill.
One falls and gets back on
That's my son Ron
Another lands on his fanny
That's my golden haired son Danny
Another lands it, a real good job,
That's my middle son, rob.
A girl cries "How about me"
That's my youngest, Lorilei.
Their laughter is music to my ears.
They are such sweet little dears.
There goes Robbie on his hands
While Lorilei does a hula dance.
Then there is my son Dan
The youngest son, a real man.
Golly, I could talk all night
About those four, I could all right
But that's a typical mother,
Each one like the other.
Sometimes I'd sell them cheap
But memories I shall keep
Brings tears of laughter to my eyes
From the day when they were small fries
Did I ever tell you the story
'bout the day I received glory
for coaching boys of twenty-three
A wrestling tournament in Stillman Valley
It was a great day for me
It was a lot of fun
Eighteen of the boys won.
Better boys could not be
These boys counting twenty-three
A werestling tournament in Stillman Valley
I coached them all, by golly
If I could happier be
Than with those boys of twenty-three
Each one called me "Mom"
Each Bill, Jack, Joe and Tom
Down by the mat, I did go
Helping my boys steal the show,
Robbie won 2nd, Ronnie 1st
Thought my buttons would burst.
Looking forward to another round
With these boyse we do abound
Many folks watching there
With surprise they did stare
For I'm sure they thought
I was the mother of a lot.
Days like this give life meaning,
All the way home, we were singing.
The oldest son, Ronnie, now 5'7
While Robbie is only 4' - 11
Less than a year between
They are a pair to be seen.
They surely love old Granddad
The best pal they've ever had
I shall sign off now
Time for dancing a pow-wow
I wrote for you a rhyme
To send a long this time
But got to tell you this
When it comes to poetry, I'm amiss
For all you say about being down
You are the Greatest one
For if I could, I'd do better
But you are the better writer.
Many years you wrote this way
Each time you had a word to say,
I think I should confess,
You are the best in the West
But I'm gonna keep on trying
And I ain't lying.
So warm up that pen.
I'll be back at it again,
And we shall have much fun,
What a bout we have begun,
Your loving Niece,SharonHAPPINESS IS.......
Memories of momentsThrough a life's spanEncircled by a fenceMoments without PlanA hard days work doneA new life just begunA friendly word saidA comforter upon a bedA rainy day in JuneFlowers in bloomA swimming holeA fishing poleA scratched kneeA Christmas treeA field of cornThe Dawn of mornThe end of a war begunThe return home of a sonA wedding DayA horse driven sleighA boy at a father's sideA father giving away a brideA first LoveA snow white DoveMusic played upon a sawA gentle breeze in FallA friendA letter to sendWords of rhymeSent to an uncle of mine. Sharon