Customer Reviews

Lest You Forget, The Poems of Violet Witherspoon

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lest You Forget: The Poems Of Violet Witherspoon is a remarkable collection of heretofore unpublished poetry covering twenty years of a quiet and secret relationship that took place between Violet Witherspoon (who died in 1954 at the age of 81) and John Chambers, who was an editor for the Macon, Georgia newspaper. The poems were written over a 37 year time span from 1902 to 1939. The two became sweethearts in the late 1880s when Violet was a college student in Macon. But in 1894 she married an attorney named Lamar Witherspoon. The next year John Chambers also married. But down through the years, the two remained in contact. Indeed Violet continued to write poetry to John long after his death. Incidently, the book is as impressive as its content, being enhanced with a ribbon marker and with the fronts piece holding an image of Violet and end piece holding an image of John. Lest You Forget: You who happen upon us/after our time has passed to dust,/transforming our physical selves to oneness with the earth,/Should you, brushing aside the leaves/that blanket our separate graves/and reading words of letters soft now with age,/think us but citizens of a distant day,/Reach to your faintest memories:/Might it be your hand that wrote these lines,/your eyes that brimmed with tears at the leaving?/We two shall search for other homes./Look closely at the stones./They count our unlived moments;/They chronicle your days now gone. February 5, 1939

Violet Witherspoon's poems are eloquently written and incredibly touching. With every turn of the page, one feels a little more of her passion, sorrow, love, and yearning. The poems leave the reader curious as to what could have been between Violet Witherspoon and John Chambers. I would recommend this heartfelt collection of poems to any lover of poetry and Southern literature.

As a lifelong history buff it often drives me absolutely batty that understanding the simplest thing of all about the past, what people thought and felt, is far more difficult than learning the details of what they did. Sometimes, however, in personal letters, unedited diaries and private literature and poetry we can gain an insight into people's minds. This slim book of poetry, while certainly not destined to become a mainstay of Victorian poetry classes, offers just such an insight. This poetry which Ms. Witherspoon wrote for herself, and we do not even know if the object of her verse ever was allowed to read them, tells far more about the life, and the heart, of a Victorian woman in Macon, Georgia than a dozen history books ever could. It is beautifully bound and I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone who wishes a deeper understanding of that bygone and gentle age.

This book is a must read for anyone who love poetry and romance. The life-long love story of Violet and John, told through the words of Violet's poetry, is beautifully and eloquently written. The beauty of the book itself makes it a must have for any collection.

If you are looking for a history lesson beyond a high school textbook, look no further than this book. Its story gives a glimpse into the old South and customs of the time.

It is beautifully written and bound. It makes a wonderful gift for all occasions.