Potpourri

Fred Van Orden

Past Poet Laureate of Bethel

Sullivan County in the Eighties
By Fred A. Van Orden, Kauneonga Lake, N.Y.

The time that the poem refers to is in the 1880's

I lived in Sullivan County in the eighties long ago
Where the Delaware, the Neversink and Mongaup Rivers flow
When Tannerys and grist mills were busy on their banks
And up and down saw mills were sawing boards and planks
When  many covered bridges were spanning their streams
Built of rugged planks, timbers and heavy wooden beams
When the Eighty-eight blizzard covered things deep in snow
I remember Sullivan County in the Eighties long ago

I lived in Sullivan County in the Eighties long ago
When the best mode of travel was by Horse and Tallyho
When Horses mules and oxen did the heavy hauling jobs
Hitched to stone boats, Wagons or heavy logging Bobs
When lights were by candles and lamp lights by oil
And wood was used for heat to make the kettle boil
When fire places burned with a warm and cheerful glow
I remember Sullivan County in the eighties long ago

I lived in Sullivan County in the eighties long ago
When we had pleasure fishing with friends we got to know
When the Beaverkill, Willowemoc and ten mile river streams
Were swarming with fish and were fisherman's fondest dreams
When ponds, Lakes and streams were full of bass and trout
And anglers who were fishing were pleased to pull them out
And ice fishing was very good where ever you wished to go
I remember Sullivan County in the eighties long ago

I lived in Sullivan County in the eighties long ago
When grain was cut by cradle and scythes used to mow
When fanning mills cleaned grain threshed with wooden flails
When farms had many fences built of stone and wooden rails
When streams turned water wheels that gave the needed power
To turn stones to grind grain to rye and buckwheat flour
When hay was drying in the fields piled neatly row on row
I remember Sullivan County in the eighties long ago

I lived in Sullivan County in the eighties long ago
When farm work was done by hand with shovel fork and ho
When bread, pies, cakes and puddings were oven baked at home
On wood stove baking ovens and ovens made of stone
When fresh buttermilk was cooling on the cellar shelves
And was free to every one who wished to help themselves
When pancakes raised in batter pots made the syrup flow
I remember Sullivan County in the eighties long ago

I lived in Sullivan County in the eighties long ago
When seeds were broadcast when land was right to sow
When cream churned to butter was shaped in golden rolls
While being worked with ladies and washed in wooded bow
When spinning wheels being used to spin wool into yarn
And fringe mittens, socks and scarves were knit on every farm
When Leggings, felt boots and rubbers were worn in heavy snow
I remember Sullivan County in the eighties long ago

In Memory of President Kennedy
By Fred A. Van Orden, Kauneonga Lake, N.Y.

Quite some time has past since that November day when President
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was laid away.
In the Arlington Cemetery in a much hallowed tomb.
And the world was saddened with grief and gloom.
In this grim world he did his duty well,
And worked for his country until he fell.
He will be remembered by all throughout the years.
As his passing brought much sorrow grief and tears.

Let us remember him as a man of peace,
And his honors be many and ever increase.
He has been greatly revered by folks on earth,
And was known for good fellowship and mirth.
He set a good example for all real folks
And was much amused with quips and jokes.
The world seems empty with much less to share
As we visualize his absence from his rocking chair.

He was a man of courage, action and zest,
And to all things worthy he gave his best.
He conducted all of his tasks with pride,
And was true to all trusts until he died.
He worked hard to gain more freedom for all,
And wished freedom for people great and small.
How lonely the world seems to be everywhere,
As we visualize with sadness his vacant chair.

He always tried during his short and busy life,
To avoid the conflicts that bring struggle and strife.
He was peaceful and would settle issues by arbitration,
Rather than to do something that would trouble the nation.
He was a great president and if giving time,
His plans and ideas would had worked out fine.
We must remember him as one with talents rare,
While in the presence of his empty rocking chair.

He was a good husband, father and family man,
And he was proud of his ancestors, family and clan.
He loved his children and was happy and gay,
When ever they were with him to romp and play.
God was his shepherd, and he was always glad,
To be a true husband, kind father and dad.
We give him praise and remember him in prayer,
As we visualize him resting in his rocking chair.