Selections from Trella Romine's library at Terradise Nature Center
We struggle and crawl, with the worm, through the rubble
Of life’s baser worries and woes,
Until what we called “just a worm” leaves his trouble
And up as a butterfly goes.
Every man has within him this same latent power
To arise from his earth-bound worm-shell
An imago, and spreading his wings to the flower
Of beauty, in godliness dwell.
The steeper the road and the farther the Grail,
But the higher we’ve climbed come the End of The Trail.
by Ray Romine Thursday, September 16, 1943
Did you kick when it was hot, now,
Did you grumble last July?
Did you pray for Fall or Winter?
Sonething cooler? So did I!
But November finds us grieving–
Five months by us now must roll
‘Fore we stop a-carryin’ashes,
And a-totin’ in the coal!
by Ray Romine Thursday, November 1, 1934
Religion, topics of the day,
The war, good food, the price of hay,
The weather:–talk of what you may.
(You will anyway)
by Ray Romine Saturday, February 10, 1945
I don’ t think money
Is especially funny.
Other folks’ riches
Never put me in stitches.
As for my own dough–
I wouldn’t know.
by Ray Romine Monday, September 29, 1947
If the atmosphere’s dignified, staid and sublime,
That is when Junior’s delirious;
But when everyone’s having himself a time,
Where’s there a child more serious?
So we fret and we worry, we stew and we fuss,
And wonder at him–and he wonders at us.
by Ray Romine Sunday, December 17, 1950
If the talk turns to stairsteps , I’ll make this sage
Observation: Their steepness is geared to one’s age.
by Ray Romine Wednesday, May 24, 1950
I’ve made this firm Resolve, my dear:
No Resolutions at all this year!
by Ray Romine Monday, December 18, 1950
Our son reminds me so of me,
I see my faults in Junior-size
Smile back at me in impish glee,
Our son reminds me so of me.
Not faults alone, though, do I see–
Some traits in him I highly prize,
Our son reminds me so of me!
by Ray Romine Tuesday, December 26, 1950
He prates to me “You waste your time.”
He’s right (he always is).
But what gets me is he can’t see
He’s wasting his!
Alternative last line:
The way he’s wasting his!
by Ray Romine Wednesday, October 10, 1945
Please keep your sound advice, my friend;
You sold me on it, true–
Almost, I mean; but please come clean:
What has it done for you?
by Ray Romine Thursday, January 25, 1951