Today I read a fantastic poem called "June Bug on a String." This poem was written by a Tennessee author and poet laureate named Richard "Pek Gunn". I believe this poem can be found in his book entitled Tumblin' Creek Tales and Other Poems, however the book is now out of print. :(
June Bug on a String
In days way back on Tumblin Creek
The latter part of Spring
'Twas sport for every boy to have
A June Bug on a String.
The bug would fly like all the rest
But what impressed me so
Was that the length of string controlled
Just how far he could go.
Some might have thought he was free
To go his way but still
I held the string that gauged his flight
And pulled him in at will.
A man can get entangled too
No matter when nor where;
And set a boundary upon
His freedom then and there.
He may fly high and buzz about
And have a mighty fling
But after all he's governed by
The one who holds the string.
Pek Gunn
I like the poem.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you like it! I thought it had a lot of sermon potential....hint, hint Matthew!
ReplyDeleteI am a lucky one finding Pek Gunn's book at our Cumberland County State Park Lobby 42 years ago. I walked into the lobby seeing copies of this book laying in a glass cabinet. I paid $10.00 Dollars for my book back then, (1970.) Now the same vintage edition's starting bid is online at ebay at $5.00 Dollars. (note; 11 days left on this vintage book & is not my bid posting.) Here is the beauty of getting that book and saving it. In 1975 Mr. Gunn came to Orlando, Florida to speak at a Nazarene Church. A car load of members from our location had traveled over to hear him that evening. I carried my book with me, (as you were probably wondering.) He stood on the platform and recited one beautiful poem after another. One of his best and a favorite of mine, (which is not in this vintage copy), he recited gloriously! :) I was married and expecting my 2nd baby at the time and was happy bringing my copy up to the podium for him to sign which he happily did. (In fact, that same book is sitting next to me at my desk and very glad finding his poem, "June Bug on a String" posted in your church letter.) My copy is a 3rd edition dated 1963. Peks' mother's name is Betty so it must have been easy for him to script, "To Betty Jean from Pek" on its' inside cover above the published print, "Keep on laughing, it's better than belly-aching." I was surfing the internet to copy and paste to a family member and this was the first link I found. Thank you for being so kind and humble to appreciate good literature such as this, enough to want to use Mr. Gunns' work in God's way. I am sure this in ministry can, will, and does touch peoples' lives. By the way, inside the front section is a printed copy where the secretary of state Joe C. Carr (Tennessee), made Richard M. "Pek" Gunn the Poet Laureate of Tennessee, dated February 4th, 1970. Here is the link to the vintage copy on sale at ebay currently 1-25-2014. Just in case anyone would like to have it. there are many different editions but this one is a light tan and unique from all the others. Enjoy! I am happy sharing my personal experiences about this book. :) (Betty J. Taylor- TN) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tumblin-Creek-Tales-and-Other-Poems-by-Pek-Gunn-Signed-1963-Vintage-HC-/181296775635?pt=US_Fiction_Books&hash=item2a362141d3
ReplyDeleteI would like posting here for you, another Pek Gunn book from ebay that has the original hand signature of Anna Bell Clement O'Brien on the inside cover next to the poem Mr. Gunn wrote for her in recognition of her birthday in Nashville! Anne Belle was an Administrative Assistant to Tennessee Governor, her brother, Frank G. Clement. Anna Belle moved from Nashville to our neck of the woods in Tansi, TN, however, at her home in Tansi, she suffered a fall that caused her untimely death on August 31st, 2009. I sat next to Anna Bell Clement O'Brien at a supper gathering in a local restaurant my father was hosting. I also think I saw her passing by at my father's funeral a little under a year before which was at our local church Nov.9th 2008. I know there are two more friends again together in Heaven. Here is the link where her signature can be viewed. I wish to post a most popular saying of hers' (I believe she wrote and it goes like this....) "ISN'T IT STRANGE THAT KINGS AND QUEENS AND CLOWNS THAT CAPER IN SAWDUST RINGS, AND AVERAGE FOLKS LIKE YOU AND ME, ARE BUILDERS OF ETERNITY, EACH IS GIVEN A KIT OF TOOLS, A SHAPELESS MASS AND SET OF RULES, AND EACH MUST MAKE ERE TIME IS FLOWN, A STUMBLING BLOCK OR A STEPPING STONE." Borrowed from her memorial invitation card. She is now interred at Memorial Gardens Dickson, Tennessee. Richard 'Pek' Gunn poet Laureate of this great state, is interred at
ReplyDeleteCalvary Cemetery
Nashville
Davidson County
Tennessee, USA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TUMBLIN-CREEK-TALES-SIGNED-FONDLY-1973-ANNA-BELLE-CLEMENT-OBRIEN-1970-HC-/310833772779?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item485f22f8eb
I would like posting here for you, another Pek Gunn book from ebay that has the original hand signature of Anna Bell Clement O'Brien on the inside cover next to the poem Mr. Gunn wrote for her in recognition of her birthday in Nashville! Anne Belle was an Administrative Assistant to Tennessee Governor, her brother, Frank G. Clement. Anna Belle moved from Nashville to our neck of the woods in Tansi, TN, however, at her home in Tansi, she suffered a fall that caused her untimely death on August 31st, 2009. I sat next to Anna Bell Clement O'Brien at a supper gathering in a local restaurant my father was hosting. I also think I saw her passing by at my father's funeral a little under a year before which was at our local church Nov.9th 2008. I know there are two more friends again together in Heaven. Here is the link where her signature can be viewed. I wish to post a most popular saying of hers' (I believe she wrote and it goes like this....) "ISN'T IT STRANGE THAT KINGS AND QUEENS AND CLOWNS THAT CAPER IN SAWDUST RINGS, AND AVERAGE FOLKS LIKE YOU AND ME, ARE BUILDERS OF ETERNITY, EACH IS GIVEN A KIT OF TOOLS, A SHAPELESS MASS AND SET OF RULES, AND EACH MUST MAKE ERE TIME IS FLOWN, A STUMBLING BLOCK OR A STEPPING STONE." Borrowed from her memorial invitation card. She is now interred at Memorial Gardens Dickson, Tennessee. Richard 'Pek' Gunn poet Laureate of this great state, is interred at
ReplyDeleteCalvary Cemetery
Nashville
Davidson County
Tennessee, USA
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TUMBLIN-CREEK-TALES-SIGNED-FONDLY-1973-ANNA-BELLE-CLEMENT-OBRIEN-1970-HC-/310833772779?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item485f22f8eb
January 25, 2014 at 2:36 PM