Agawam High School - Sachem Yearbook (Agawam, MA)

Page 27 text:

The coals grow ever darker. The shadows spread, until The pictures fade, but the memory Lingers with me still. And I sit and dream of castles With moats and towering walls, Or walk in Grecian Gardens, And stroll through pillared halls; Or search through a maize-like forest Of glittering, burning gold, Though I haven’t stirred from my armchair And the fire on the hearth is cold. And I think, as I sit there dreaming Of what life has in store. Will dreams of the future vanish As through an open door? Or will the spark of knowledge Burst into golden flame And bring, with added years, A wealth of power and fame? And on down through the ages As day fades into night, May we add to the fire of knowledge The fuel to keep it bright. Louise M. Shields [25]

Page 26 text:

Now, tired from futile efforts, The flames sink slowly down And leave but glowing coals And ashes, crusted brown. The smoky bricks grow darker. Soft shadows fill the room As white smoke spirals upward And fades in the chimney’s gloom. I gaze at the burning embers And see a castle there, With lofty spires, and dungeons, And turrets, bleak and bare. With rough-hewn walls and drawbridge That speak of might and power, And tiny flags that flutter From the peak of every tower. Down drops a burning coal. My dreaming eye perceives A lofty Grecian Temple With pillared porch and freize. With massive roof of marble, And curving steps of stone That lead to my Grecian Temple As it stands on a hill, alone. Slowly the pillars crumble. The roof begins to fall And all that is left is ruins Of my gorgeous Grecian Hall. Then I see a towering forest With trees of golden hue, That bend and toss and tremble As though a gale swept through. Lower they bend and lower While the windstorm rushes on. A burst of smoke, a flame, My golden woods are gone. The charred log spits and sputters. The little smoke clouds rise, While the dead-white ashes spread And the fading fire dies. [24]

Page 28 text:

Glass Prophecy of 1928 Written by HELENE KaPLINGER Acted by Helene Kaplinger and Martha Tilden Time: 1940 Characters: Mrs. Smith | Graduates of Class of ,928 Setting: Two gardens at rear of homes, separated by fence. Mrs.. Jones is working in garden. Mrs. Smith comes out to cut rose bushes. [Carries pruning shears, garden tools, etc.] Airs. Smith. Good morning, Helene! Airs. Jones. Good morning, Martha! “Good” can’t describe a morn- ing like this. Mrs. Smith. I should say not. My goodness, but your garden looks great. I only wish I had a little more time to spend digging about. Mrs. Jones. Oh well, we all aren’t married to hearty electrical engi- neers and have to draw advertisements between meals to promote the good name of the Chevrolet Motor Company. Airs. Smith. No. not every one is married but you have been for a longer time than I. Remember when you walked up the aisle to meet that big, tall blonde! Say weren’t you both blushing. No, I’ll never forget and neither will you. [Both laugh.] Anyway, I’ve got some news for you and glory be it isn’t town gossip. Airs. Jones. I don’t believe it, but go ahead and score me. Mrs. Smith. I got a copy of the June, 1940, “Agawam Mirror” in the mail this morning from Nellie White; you know she teaches English in M iss Button’s place. Mrs. Jones. Miss Button’s place! Good heavens, you don’t mean to say she has really finished teaching, do you? Mrs. Smith. Oh yes, she has retired. She’s living on the old Button estate in Wallingford and do you believe it, Herbert Sanborn is handy man there. And Nella Bailey is boarding with her and teaching school. Mrs. Jones. Well, she always was partial to Vermont and Vermont- ers. And by the way, I had a letter from Zella Couture. You know she is editor of a paper now. “Day by Day,” but I’ll bet the news is right to the minute if you ask me. She sent me a copy. News of our old friends will surprise you. Airs. Smith. That’s why I wanted to have you see what’s in “The Mirror.” Let’s see. [Looking at index.] Alumni news, page 10. Airs. Jones. Well, it’s good-bye work where news is concerned. You read right ahead. I’ve got my letter here waiting. Mrs. Smith. Oh, the list isn’t complete, but I can see the alumnae editor has at least been busy.