19-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, June 1, 1914:
Let us smile for June is here.
June this welcome of all things bright and fair.
The month that wills so soon pass us by.
The month that will a flowery garment wear.
Nothing much doing in this lonely castle by the side of a brook.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Warrior Run Creek the runs along the edge of the farm where the Muffly’s lived. If you look closely you can see the house and barn through the trees.
I love the imagery. Another month—another poem and a bored, lonely “princess.” Poor Grandma. . .
Me standing on the bridge in 2012.
This is the view of the farm after the brook is crossed.
The lonely castle
Monthly Poem
Grandma began each month with a poem. For more information, see this post:
I love the monthly poems. I think I’ll write one, too, such a good idea.
I like how it adds a bit of structure to the diary. I’m amazed that Grandma was organized enough as a teen to faithfully insert a poem on the first of each month.
The last line is a it of an anticlimax, isn’t it! Poor Grandma.
It is a bit of an anticlimax–and definitely reflects her down mood; but none the less, I like the surprise twist at the end of the poem.
Such a great poem, the princess in her castle with summer on its way… Like a good poem, leaves one asking, what will it bring?!?
I hadn’t thought of it quite that way–but you’re absolutely right, it does encourage questions about what will happen next.
Thank you Helena. 😉 You have just reminded me that I haven’t yet turned the calendar to June!
I turned mine this morning. . . after I read your comment. 🙂
Aw…. that last line is so poignant. Just wait, Grandma, we all know your prince will come!
Sometimes it’s so hard to be young. . .
Great pictures Sheryl. Helena seems restless – I hope she finds what she needs soon.
Diana xo
May was a rough month for her. . .
Helena is kind of like a flower that bursts into bloom with poetry every so often. “Nothing much doing” sometimes sounds like a mantra in her entries—then, here, she turns it into such a poignant last line of a poem.
The flower analogy is wonderful–it very aptly describes her writing.
Your banner picture and the last one in the post are a good pair to compare.
I agree–the banner picture does nicely show the “castle.”
Just love this poem and the whole idea of a poem for the month.
I’m always surprised how quickly the months fly by as marked by the monthly poems. I think that this poem is my all-time favorite of her monthly poems.
Interesting that you had the same reaction to this one!
You and your grandmother are so lucky to live in that picturesque area! Happy June!
It’s wonderful that the current owner of the farm has done a very nice job of maintaining the buildings.
What a wonderful connection with your Grandmother. The poem is charming. That farm is very pretty. 🙂
I am very fortunate to have the diary. . . and to be able to see many of the places she went after all of these years.
I love that. “Let us smile for June is here.” I’m smiling too!
I am, too. It sure was a long winter, and a late spring. 🙂
Oh I’m so grateful to see photos of Helena’s home!
You’ve probably said this before, so if so, please share the link about any conversations you’ve had with the current owners.