Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1915 — WALT MASON [ARTICLE]

WALT MASON

The Poet Philosopher. The sun. is a success, though, sometimes, we confess, it shines so long, with rays so strong, it fills us vith distr—:s. Up in its vault of bluß it shines on me and you, and breeds the flies, and roasts and fries till in out fat we stew. Beneath a sun-cook-ed sky, the crops go all awi'y; the - peas and beans, the cdrn and greens, turn up their toes and die. Earth’s surface cracks and shrinks, dry are the wells and sinks; and cattie bawl and caterwaul for cool refreshing drinks. Ah, then, with anguished eyes, we view the sizzling skies, and cry: "Old Sol, you’ve cooked us all, the whole world bakes and fries.’’ We murmur and repine, and say: "It would be fine, if that blamed sun would just, get done, and let

some other shine!” But when the sun’s concealed, behind a cloudy shield, and sends no ray, day after flay, to light the sodden field, how sad and gloomy then are all the sons of men! “We’d give four bones,” all mankind groans, ‘‘to see the sun again!” The spring is one of clouds, So gloom the land enshrouds, and grief is rife in every life, and wrath inspires the crowds.