Crown Point High School - Excalibur Yearbook (Crown Point, IN)

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CROWN POINT INKLINGS 23 THE MORRIS 5 10c TO $1 STORE CONGRATULATES THE GRADUATES OF 1935 BUY YOUR GRADUATION GIFTS FROM OUR LARGE VARIETY DEPARTMENTS identical with that of the tropics. In a vase on the table are a very few large wax orchids on which quantities of cut-rate drug store perfume has been poured. Around are other vases of flowers using the same principle. Your eyes search to see where the breezes come from; there in the corner stands a vener¬ able rubber tree concealing an elec¬ tric fan. The rubber tree, you learn, was left by an old lady, a former tenant of the poet’s quart¬ ers. It was this relic of the Vic¬ torian days that produces the sway¬ ing palm effect. The window is covered with a ten-cent store blind on which is painted an orange- disked sun glistening over a blue lagoon. This hides the fact that there is two feet of snow outside. So it is with these simple things, steam heat being all important, that the poet is inspired to write his poems about the tropics Though glowing with enthusiasm, the poet tells you confidentially that the plan has certain defects. At night the humid air condenses with the lowering of the outside temper¬ ature into puddles of water on the floor; this sooner or later trickles down to the apartments below, thus ruffling the calm and peace of the tropical scene. The poet sighs as he recalls former days when he could depend on the sun and its warmth for his inspiration and be¬ moans the fact that his present imitation of nature cannot always be relied upon. Not everyone real izes the importance of steam hea to depression poetry. Far below in the basement tend¬ ing, but somet imes neglecting tht glowing furnace is a man who little knows that he is in no small way contributing to modern literature. If the janitor only knew that the flow of steam to the apartment above inspired countless ideas which the poet turns into wordy rhythm, verses multiplying into books which find themselves event¬ ually in the bookstore window, he would become enthusiastic and with a new outlook on his occupatior would do the work of twenty men No doubt he would even seek the bookstore window to view the by¬ product of his labors; thus inspired to his importance he w ould assume i that self-significant air, worn so effectually by men who realize their self-importance in the realm of economic and social affairs. Elevat¬ ed above the common crowd, no longer just a link in a vast chain, the custodian would become as faithful as nature, and far more convenient, in supplying creative impulse to the depression poet. Suppose the coal merchants and miners also realized the import¬ ance of their product; there would be much more speed in bringing coal out of the earth to the furnace. Fully aware of their responsibilty these workers would forget labor troubles—the strike and the lock¬ out. Peace and harmony would re¬ sult in inspiration individuals work¬ ing hand and glove for the sake of modern poetry. While the poetry of the depression era has the poss¬ ibilities to bring peace and union to its manual contributors, it has not been so fortunate within its own ranks. As there is a labor question in every modern industry, there is also a labor problem in the verse busi ¬ ness. Some of the moneyed poets

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28 CROWN POINT INKLINGS SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE BASKET BALL First Row: Jim Haniford, Wentel Butch, Bob Briggs. Second Row: Herman Knesek, John Lamphier, Wilbur Hoshaw. Harold Hoshaw, Harvey Knesek. Third Row: Orville Butch, Coach Church, John McConnell. THE INFLUENCE OF STEAM HEAT ON MODERN POETRY A essay submitted to the Short- ridge Fiction Club by Lowell Holm es—S. R. 241 B. A glance at the title of this liter¬ ary gem would seem to convince the most skeptical of its worthlessness However, if one wi shes to weigh carefully the subject matter given and does a little research, he would be surprised to find traces of sense He would be amazed at its broaden¬ ing scope. He might even write a doctor’s thesis on it. In view of both opposition and acclaim, I am presenting my humble smattering of knowledge, gleaned from count¬ less hours of sleeplessness. As in modern business relations where there is a stepping stone be¬ tween producer and consumer, there is also such a case in the phase of poetry in which I am interested In business terms it is a retailer or middleman. According to mi- logic the poet is the third party influence. That is to say the poet is the middleman between steam heat and modern poetry. And why is it called “modern poetry ? Simp¬ ly because we are living in an age where yesterday is yesterday, today is today. It is in the poet we are chiefly interested since the poet is a man. and from man both steam heat and verse doth flow. We are always deeply concerned in the workings of the source of the poet’s labors— his imagination. However, we are aware that people need a tonic for their minds, something to in¬ spire them to untold heights. Since inspiration is the keynote of this article, I will cite some examples. Lord Byron swam the Hellespont to awaken his imagination so that he could write a poem about Hero ana Leander. It was only yesterday that in order to sing of the tropics the inspired individual spent months on the dreamy island of Tahaiti in the far off South Seas. That was when prosperity boomed— when people needed books to fill space on musty bookshelves; there¬ by permitting the masters of verse to spend their money and days for inspiration’s sake. Today is the era of the depression poet. So-called because people no longer have space, or make space on their bookshelves for the latest, verse. Yet the composition of verse goes on for art’s sake, and for bread, and butter. No longer do poets go to the tropics for creative impulse Theirs is a plan of efficiency and promotive patriotism, patriotism to the degree of buying American pro¬ ducts only. Inspiration is furnish¬ ed by coal, for coal gives heat; and heat is the main allurement of the tropics. Warmth produces a lazy- languid attitude, the state of min i where thoughts are many, but phy¬ sical labor is absent. With these few sentences the cornerstone of this treatise is laid; from here the mind can capitalize on this idef, and eventually one looks in on a scene like this: The Q uarters of a Depression Poet The atmosphere is heavy, burden ed with strange but pleasant per¬ fumes. Gentle breezes faintly coo! your already dripping forehead There is a swish of leaves as if trees were being swayed by some unseen forces. It is, you say, some magic island in the far-off Pacific; yet at an hasty glance around, you see only a small dingy room with wall paper missing here and there. As an explanation is forthcoming, your host smilingly shows you the contrivances which aid is forming the almost perfect illusion. On the steam radiator there is a pan of water, which, as he explains furnishes humidity and warmth

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CROWN POINT INKLINGS have raised a protest asserting that their works are being infringed up¬ on by scab labor. They maintain that depression poets, not having the great overhead to maintain in¬ spiration, can undersell the market While the depression product is of high standard the dissenting part ies claim that the genuine appeal of the poetry is lost. It is not my purpose to take sides in this conflict; but I do wish, for fairness sake, to point out a simil¬ arity of a happening of a genera¬ tion ago. The picture of the young man, nattily dressed riding on a bicycle through the lanes and by - lanes of the beautiful coutnryside, which prompted your father and grandfather, your mother and grandmother, to seek the beauties of nature on a bicycle, was taken ii a small photography shop agains a painted background. Since I have introduced the de¬ pression poet, it is fitting to presen one of his products—a poem written no doubt, under the inspiration of steam heat. By examining any number of weekly and tri-weekly publications, I found a number of poems evidently sent in by depres¬ sion poets. This one was hidden among the want ads, but it’s rhy¬ thm, its meter and subject matte ' show how the poet makes use of steam heat. “INSPIRED CONFIDENCE” Out of a world a million years ago Comes foliage of palm and tropica! growth; Changed is the fresh green to an ebony glow, Brought forth from its sleep to give me warmth. The warmth of the tropics was stor¬ ed away When the ear th was young and new, To come again a tribute to pay With the heat of its flames, red an blue. Others may search for a sunny clime While I remain snug and happy at home, Enjoying a southern atmosphere aged by time, For the rest I just let my Imagina¬ tion roam. The crimson, orange-disked sun is sinking low Swallowed in the haze of a lazy- languid sea; Upon my fevered brow orchid scent¬ ed breezes blow, Bringing with it serenity, peace and calm, to me. In truthfulness I should add that this was used in solicitation for the Cash and Carry Coal Company.) Far be it from me to stray from my original purpose of showing the influence of steam heat on modern poetry, and take a negative view However, it should be clearly under¬ stood that while much has been saiu about the influence of steam heat on modern poety, it is equally true that a great deal can be said on the influence of modern poetry on steam heat. Toby: “You’re driving me crazy Williamson.” Jim: “Not a drive my boy, only a short putt.” COMPLIMENTS OF THE DOCTORS DR. GRAY DR. HOUR DR. PETTIBONE DR. TRACHT DR. IDDINGS DR. FARLEY