Carolyn Devonshire | + Follow Poet |
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Before the Colors Fade

This poem is dedicated to Souper Joyce Johnson!  “The Greatest Generation” was penned by newscaster Tom Brokaw in 1998 and became a best seller.  This generation is defined as people born between 1901 and 1927 who survived the Great Depression and World War II.  





The Great Depression
     World War II
          Multiple epidemics
               Assassination of a president

At 80 Joyce picked up her poetic pen
Joining Poetry Soup, way back then

Lifetime of memories and wisdom she shares
Musings from a woman who loves and cares

Surviving life-changing losses
     Burying her parents
          Losing her beloved husband
               And all her siblings

As her century mark approached, a publisher phoned
Seeking to spread the perspectives Joyce owned

“Lifetime Memories in Verse,” a special archive
Joyce’s poems displayed to keep memories alive

History repeats
     From past mistakes we learn
          Our “Greatest Generation” is disappearing
               Tap their wisdom now


                
 


*March 9, 2021
For Line Gauthier’s “Poetry as Legacy” Contest

Copyright © Carolyn Devonshire | Year Posted 2021

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Sally Eslinger Date: 6/28/2021 1:17:00 PM Amen. This year my dad would have been 103. He taught American History to high schoolers. My mom would have been 98. I grew up reading and heating history’s marked lessons. Your points here are important. So glad you wrote this. Login to Reply

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/2/2021 12:41:00 PM Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a great story/write and tribute to Joyce. Have a blessed day, weekend and Easter............... Login to Reply

Gordon Mcconnell Date: 3/24/2021 11:43:00 AM Really fine piece Carolyn, great imagery and insightful thought too. A !lovely dedication to Joyce, and take care, blessings,Gordon Login to Reply

Phyllis Babcock Date: 3/17/2021 12:14:00 PM A lovely tribute to our beautiful Joyce. She has seen much in her life. love phyl Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 3/13/2021 12:36:00 PM Wow~~Joyce has a great opportunity to share her life with the world in her book. Your poem reads like a good contender to me in the contest. Thanks for the visit to my page. Sara Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/14/2021 1:57:00 PM The book has poems about events that happened in her childhood. It's lovely. Thanks for reading, Sara!

Jack Horne Date: 3/11/2021 12:42:00 PM love this lovely tribute to dear Joyce - such truth here, hon Login to Reply

Kai Michael Neumann Date: 3/11/2021 4:06:00 AM And there are the questions we never asked our parents and we are finding our own answers in the poetry we write ... Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/11/2021 9:39:00 AM That's so true, Kai. Thanks for reading.

Joyce Johnson Date: 3/10/2021 5:28:00 PM Thank you Carolyn for dedicating your poem to me. I hope you win. Love, Joyce Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/12/2021 7:24:00 AM I thought of you and your book as soon as I looked at the contest description. You should enter too, Joyce! (It was great talking to you last night.)

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/10/2021 5:21:00 PM Outstanding tribute!! FAVE Login to Reply

Rico Leffanta Date: 3/10/2021 10:54:00 AM but there is so much of her life that no longer applies, and to much of that, thank goodness! Well done, Carolyn! Aloha! Rico Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/10/2021 1:49:00 PM Yes, Joyce grew up during tough times, Rico. She is an amazing lady!

Paul Callus Date: 3/10/2021 6:21:00 AM I love it when somebody, like you, Carolyn, writes about the life achievements of our elder generation. They have so much to share, especially experience and wisdom. Joyce is a special person who, despite being a centenarian, has never given up on life, even though she passed through so many hard times. Regard & Hugs // paul Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/12/2021 7:27:00 AM Even though Joyce and I haven't met because there are thousands of miles separating us, I fell in love with her poems about her family. She is one of my dearest friends. She sure knows how to live well!

Gershon Wolf Date: 3/9/2021 9:08:00 PM Wow! I had no idea about Joyce. Remarkable person! And remarkable tribute to her, Carolyn! Inspirational! Thanks, gw Login to Reply

Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/9/2021 2:58:00 PM I’m not very familiar with that generation but I enjoyed the poem and that it honours Joyce. Thanks your visit today. Hugs Rick. Login to Reply

Ilene Bauer Date: 3/9/2021 2:46:00 PM a beautiful tribute to joyce, carolyn! she is very deserving of it. i didn't know she first started writing poetry at 80 - amazing! Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/10/2021 1:50:00 PM I guess most of us started writing poetry as young teens. Joyce really is an amazing lady in many ways. At Christmas she makes 80 pounds of chocolate fudge for family and friends. And it's delicious...

Tom Cunningham Date: 3/9/2021 2:12:00 PM A lovely dedication to Joyce, Carolyn, we have it so easy compared to those who lived through those hard times and yes we should tap their wisdom now. Best of luck in the contest Tom Login to Reply

Vijay Pandit Date: 3/9/2021 1:19:00 PM Thank you for the context from the greatest generation, Carolyn. Your opening stanza adds to that context. Lovely tribute your wrote to Joyce my friend. Before the colors fade is an apt title for the contest theme and her book is perhaps the proof of legacy you so well describe. Login to Reply

Jan Allison Date: 3/9/2021 12:58:00 PM Joyce is an inspiration to us all and it is so lovely to see your tribute, I especially love that final stanza - wise words indeed:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply

Anthony Biaanco Date: 3/9/2021 12:53:00 PM Hi Carolyn, fantastic tribute to Joyce. Her book is filled with poetic wisdom- best wishes Anthony Login to Reply

Alexis Y. Date: 3/9/2021 12:50:00 PM WoW! Carolyn, You've penned such a great dedication/tribute piece for Joyce Johnson. She sounds like a remarkable lady that has lived and seen a lot in her lifetime. This well-written write is perfect for the contest theme. Best wishes in the contest. Have a wonderful day:-)Alexis Login to Reply Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/10/2021 1:52:00 PM When I think my life is hard, I need only look at people like Joyce (and my parents) who met even tougher challenges. It was her poetry about her family that drew me to her writing.