Sense and Nonsense by Frederick H. Spinney
First Published New York, 1947
This has been a project over a year in the making. The guest poet was a friend of the families, however he has passed on, and the publishing company no longer exists. It took a fair amount of research to obtain a book, and then legal permissions to be able to proceed. I want to thank the dedicated team I have behind the scenes, for not only their legal help, but the research that was required to get to this point. Many do not realize the great people behind any writer that makes all things possible. My web site would not be what it is without their help. As I write on current day and political issues, is great to have such legal expertise behind me, before publishing posts and writings. You all know who you are and thank-you.
Any errors in fact are mine, as I have relied on stories from a few people, and as I didn’t take notes at the time I hope I have remembered correctly.
Fredick H. Spinney was a teacher in Quebec, Canada, however I believe he came from Nova Scotia, and then had a summer home in Morin Heights Quebec, where my relatives met him. He was a school teacher, and a few of his hobbies were gardening and poetry. I had never heard of this person, and only when, a few years ago, I mentioned to my family, my poetic skills or lack there of, my father, told me of this man. He remembers spending summers in Morin Heights, Quebec as a boy, and when he was outside hearing the clack clack of Mr. Spinney’s typewriter.
I have managed to get hold of a book he published, called "Sense and Nonsense" and if only for the family connection, read it from cover to cover. I admit some poems, didn’t tickle my fancy, and yet a few really did. He was unpretentious, and just seemed to jot down his impressions at the moment. For me, what I enjoyed reading, is the book was published in 1947 and so you get to see the style of language used at the time, as well as the mood. This was just after the war, and thus there are many references within his poems. He seemed also to be an avid gardener also reflected in his poetry.
As I Have done a few posts on Darrens garden I found this to be very interesting, and I hope Darren will smile. Hopefully we will both laugh and the sense and the nonsense of life.
What is also interesting, in reading poetry from years ago, is how some things never change. I found that to be very amusing, and even I am sure thise who need to learn from this, will not have the eyes open, so to speak. For the rest, enjoy this whimiscal poetry.
I hope to post more poems from this poet as times permits, in fact I am reviewing one now called “Nova Scotia”