Lewis University - Beacon Yearbook (Romeoville, IL)

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Lewis Poet's Works to Be - 0' o On Exhibit An exhibition of the works of Scharmel Iris, poet-in-residence at Lewis College, is being spon- sored by the Chicago Public Li- brary at the Legler Regional branch during the month of No- vember. In addition to Iris' three volumes of poems, the original portrait in sanguine that Augustus John made of him in London during the summer of 1955 is being displayed. John, the painter of Yeats and Joyce, is a favorite artist of the royal family. In 1955 Iris was presented to Queen Elizabeth, Princess Mar- garet, and the Queen Mother by Winston Churchill. At the time the fine art book of 52 drawings, Augustus John, appeared, Mrs. Eleanor Roose- velt wrote in her column of March 8, 1958, It is interesting that a poet in this country who has had. such a hard time to gain recognition should be the one American included in these drawings, and went on to say, Many publishers have recog- nized the force of Mr. Iris' writ- ings, but it is not easy to over- come the general apathy about poetry today. She had expressed a desire to meet Mr. Iris on her visit to Joliet and to wish him success on his autobiography, Shuttle- cock, -now close to completion. Carl Sandberg referred to Iris as, a genius in the lyric field. Nobel prize winner, William B. Yeats, in the preface to his sec- ond book on verse wrote: Of poets writing today, there is none greater. SCHARMEL IRIS, POET-IN-RESIDENCE THE JUST MAN Bom of misfortune in an evil time Devoid of logic, reason, or sweet rhyme, Unloved as were the wild dogs of the town, Misused of life he did not froth nor frown On the aggressorg mock his dire fate That mocked him verily. To compensate, Wild roses of the wayside made him glad Enough to thank his God for what he had: Birdsong and folk song and meadow Hower, The peace of stars that fills the quiet hour. He struggled towards the light but always fell. His, his the crown because he labored well. In death he triumphed, gained his rightful place - The signature of God across his face. Scharmel Iris 67

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