Rogers Hall School - Splinters Yearbook (Lowell, MA)

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This is work, the old man said. They carried the milk to the pig troughs. I have cows to keep the barn alive. I don't want to pass a dead barn. Things know when they are Wanted, especially houses. Let's have a feast tonight. Later they went out on the stoop in the warm night. VVhat is the best time for flying? Just before you sleep. In his room the old man undressed slowly and blew out his lamp, and used his last bit of strength to pull the covers over himself. I-le had barely settled on the pond when stealthy steps could be heard. I-Ie ran on the water and rose. I-Ie felt the pellets puncture him. Now he saw the vanity of title and deed and was content. The man had not inherited the earth. The earth had inherited him. The earth inherits certain men. I-le fell into a furrowed field as he always knew he would. WENDY MARTIN '69 -a Prophecy Maxim I'm so fake I'm so afraid I don't give what I take I'm going to end up in that Funny freak parade . . . How about you- You comin' too? You think people live for you. You think people love for you. You'll realize someday that the World and the people in it Aren't existing just for you, But you for them. You either realize this fact, Or you'll perish from SUE AUBIN '71 Your own self-pity. DEB1 PLETSCHQER '69 15

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A Flying Thing Blood relations had become confused in the old man's memory. I-Ie wasn't sure if the woman was his greatniece or granddaughter. She called him Grandpa, but he didn't think so. She was holding a boy by the arm. Didn't you get the letter? she asked, It will be good for both of you, he'll be company. It's all right, the old man says. She looked at him, then bent to hug the boy. I-Ie turned rigid as a stake. Oh, Prob, she said, then drove off. Rob, the old man said. It was familiar. He realized, with pleasure, that it had been his own name once. I'm a problem, I'm bad, I'll scream! Scream, how loud is it? The boy opened his mouth. It is all right. Listen to this. It was a much better scream. You're a lot older than I, the boy said defensively. I-Iow old are you? Nine, the boy answered. I-Iow old are you? I-Ie stood for a while. Ninety-one. Who are you to me? the old man said. Somebody But the old man couldn't be fooled. Have you ever been anything besides yourself? I was a bug once but my mother stepped on me. Try to be a flying thing, free. An eagle? Perhaps, I'm a mallard, just taking off, climbing at a slant. I-low about hunters and guns? That is a risk that has to be, but -I'm always ahead of them, and they always miss. In his own youth he had been a stand-offer. Now at ninety odd years he began to see the error in it. Now he began to catch on. You're something to me all right. Come I want to show you something. I-Ie took the boy out to a furrowed field. With his finger he brought forth a sprouting seed. Eighty years of this and I still don't know what a seed is. But I know what I am to it. What, What are you to it? Bring the hoe. I'm not going to work here, the boy said. Of course you're not! What are you to the seed? the boy asked. Bring the hoe here, the old man said. They chopped weeds for the rest of the afternoon. I think I know, you are the seed guarderf' As dusk approached the old man shouldered his hoe. The milk rang out sharply against the bottom of the pail and the level mounted. 14 g.

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Nativity The world was silent. Nothing Silence Breathings not heard The world was lit. Brightness A ball of yellow within the sky No sound . . . Stillness The world was aware. There was a sound. A OfY A whimper The world gave birth. A baby . . . In the loving arms of its mother. The world had sound. Something Breathings Whimpers of a new generation- The world . . . was alive. DEBBIE EVANS '72 16 Christmas Cheer JOY JOY JOY Rejoice in solemn airs for those pitied. Breathe the breath of happiness. Wage your war, oh Vietnam! Sing loud your praise to the earthys end. The world unites in peace, Its iniquities forgotten. 'Tis the season to be jolly. ANN HEMINGWAY '69