Zelda Davidson (Part Two)
In 1993, the year I was born, Zelda was beginning her seventh decade of life. This generational gap is why my perspective will always be influence by her gray hair and impeccable grace. It also serves as the simple explanation as to why I struggle to imagine her as anything other than my Great-Grandmother.
That’s why I read her poetry with exceptional gratitude. They serve as a window into a world I never saw. They prove that Zelda has been so much, in the lives of so many.
Today I want to share three poems with you. They portray Zelda as a daughter, a young soul who recognized the value of her family, and loved her parents dearly.
(Written in 1941) This poem is titled “Heritage - Supreme”
“From the hope of fleeting house of dawn.
And the strength of the beating rain,
Two hearts were fashioned by the hand of God.
Where humblest prayers remain.
From the silver of clouds and the blue of night,
He molded two souls with care,
Wrought them with gold from the sunset’s glow.
More exalted than heaven’s stars—more rare.
Then two sacred temples of flesh he raised,
A shrine for these priceless gems,
Placed them on earth with the breath of life.
‘Mid a chorus of angel’s “Amen’s”.
From these two souls came this soul of mine,
A meager spark from a brilliant ray.
My father! My Mother! Seraphim on earth!
God, give them peace, I pray.”
(Written in 1941) This poem is titled “Mother”
M is for the mist—
That shadows laughing eyes,
When Mother’s far away
And trouble clouds the skies.
O is the opulence of love—
That shrouds her tired face,
That brings a peace in evening
When she tucks you in your place.
T is for the silent tears—
That fall when things go wrong.
But any trace of bitterness
She covers with a song.
H is for her loving heart—
That’s good as any gold,
That lifts you from the thorny path
And shields you from the cold.
E is the energy with which she builds—
The foundations for her goals,
Each, a castle of humor bright,
All, her children’s souls.
R is for the righteousness—
With which her home is blessed,
And peace in her companionship
With the one she loves the best.
The sum of these is happiness—
And freedom from all care,
When trust is place in him above
Who hears each silent prayer.
(Written in 1943) This poem is titled “ He’s Just “My Dad” ”
My dad’s not a senator,
But he can milk a cow.
He never built a river bridge
But he sure knows how to plow.
He never sat the President’s chair,
Nor even the governor’s seat,
But we always had warm clothes to wear
And all we wanted to eat.
He’s never had his name in print,
Nor crossed the ocean wide
But he can fix a car, by gosh,
And from the underside!
He never had a million bucks,
Nor ran the Security Bank.
But his kids didn’t have to go on their own.
And they’ve got their Dad to thank.
My Dad’s not a mighty man,
Of mighty brawn and girth,
But I think he’s the finest Dad
That’s ever been on earth.
He never won a prizefight
Nor tussled with a steer
But he never left us home at nights
To come home full of beer
He never got mad, nor smoked, nor swore,
Nor anted gambler’s bids,
And he never got too busy with things,
To spend some time with his kids.
He’s too old now to go win a prize,
For shooting down the nips
So he’s just staying here at home
To help them build the ships.
No one knows much about my Dad
But just his friends and kin,
But he’s never had a neighbor
That could complain about what he’s been.
Not many folks will lament when he goes,
Nor fight over the wealth he had.
But there’d sure be an empty place in my heart,
If it weren’t for my Dad.
Dedicated to the talented poet, who was loved by all.
Zelda M. Davidson:
Born on September 25th, 1922
Died on February 26th, 2014