Rogers Hall School - Splinters Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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FATE Elucidate please, Why is it so? How to comprehend, , Please let me know- Can it be altered? By determination some say. Are you as bewildered, By this mysterious, veiled way? ANNE I-IOCKMEYER '63 REFLECTIONS ON THE SPACE AGE I fear to look toward heaven now Upon a dark, clear night, Seeking stars and finding but A roaming satellite. I fear that in a year or so, To take the dear moon's place, Will spin a thousand man-made stars In God's once-ordered space. Rurnns POGUE '62

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' ' f f 'iii 59 -mu.. .S-a.....,6,g LOOKING BACK As I look through the clouds at the earth below I reminisce of experiences I once used to know. I glance at the cities that never have rest And the wide countryside where peace was best. ! I gaze at the valleys, then everlasting streams, Where so many times I'd create silly dreams. I view nature's wonders, man's love and hate, And see precious gifts people discover too late. Seeing these things, the good and the bad, I understand why men are happy and sad. Then thinking to myself and wondering back, If I had the chance would I ever retrack? After thought, I decide that I'd not. For my home now is a paradise spot, But I truly wish that everyone could see, One profound glimpse of this eternity. Here there's sunshine, never any rain, Existence without confusion, turmoil or pain. This life is so different from anything taught, But one which brings ultimate peace when sought. Here I have found the utmost in understanding, A world of leisure, no demanding. Yet I know not when people will see, That I mourn for them, not they for me. Louisa Bnooxcs '64

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EVCLUTION As the public of today is well aware, Natalie Wood and Richard Breymer starred in the movie version of West Side Story. They are usually also aware that it was derived from the Broadway show of the same title, and most know that Leonard Bemstein composed the famous songs and lyrics. Yet few realize the interesting and historic background of its basic plot. Contrary to popular opinion, West Side Story was not derived solely from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It has been said: ML Laurent's book did not try to paraphrase the Romeo and Juliet Story, but instead used it as a reference point or suggestion for the development of the theme. One must also note the fact that Romeo and jttliet was not purely a Shakespearean creation, for the idea was captured from a myth of Ovid written in 8 A.D., the myth in this instance being Pyramus and Thisbef' If one is not familiar with Pyramus and Thisbe or Romeo and Iuliet but is familiar with West Side Story, one knows the basic plot of the two young people existing in the realm of forbidden love, their fleeting chance to escape the impending forces that are preventing this love from materializing into marriage, and the tragic ending of death. One thus has the information necessary for following this story back through the centuries. Ovid, as an individual, was interested in women and love. In 8 A.D. he was banished by the Emperor Augustus, because his works were too corrupt for the Roman Youth! Pyramus and Thisbe was one of these works. Reflecting the atmosphere of that era, Pyramus and Thisbe was a myth to explain the color of the mulberry tree. It embodies a pledge of undying love, fiery passion, desire, and the search for happiness and unity. Yet the lovers had a barrier, for their parents forbade this love. Appointing a time and place to meet, the lovers were planning to run away. Yet as in Romeo and Iuliet and West Side Story, the tragic ending, culminating in death, was inevitable. Thisbe, upon waiting for her mate, was approached by a lion. In fear she Hed and dropped her cloak. When Pyramus arrived, he spotted the cloak and thinking his mate dead, killed himself with a dagger. Sensing all was safe, meanwhile, Thisbe returned, found Pyramus dead, and, in anguish, killed herself as well. William .Shakespeare, living in the sixteenth century, discovered the old myth and adapted it to the age in which he lived. He used the same plot, but he added the idea of chivalry. As the age was more complex, the story was more complex. Hatred and jealousy were involved and the desire for