Saint Mary (St. Mary) Poem by Marie WardAlonge

It was a place I could find solace.
Through all the loneliness, confusion, and sometimes sadness,
I knew it was a place I needed to be.
Baptized at an early age, I didn't fully understand but it came to be one of my greatest decisions I ever made.
Values and wisdom I would learn late in life.
Those values, if not wisdom, would later define me.

On the outskirt of Ruleville, this little church named Saint Mary (St. Mary) stood.
Where dandelions and sunflowers would grow wild
As I would sit and stare at the pretty blue clouds.
Flowers amassed the many fields.
The church was on flat ground
And not on a hill.
Many times storms would come and the wind would blow.
However, God did not allow that old church to go.

On clearer days, you could enjoy viewing the beautiful green grass,
The church yard was covered.
Before service would start, you could look it over.
If you were lucky, you could find a four (4) leaf clover.

When the service would start, there were many in the congregation.
There were visitors, Christians, sinners, young, old, and some members like myself who would go home and vent.
We were trying to improve the church.
However, some people came and went.

Our pastoral Sunday was the third (3rd) Sunday.
We had a small choir but our hearts were big and full of purpose.
Many great singers would come over from other churches to give us a helping hand.
We were united as one giving praises to our Lord and Savior as we took the choir stand.

Ms. Mattie Duke was our pianist and she was such a talented soul.
You could hear her banging on that old piano before you drove up that old dirt road.
She has passed on now but I miss that lady so.
When she played, the joy in her face would overflow.

Ms. Baker became our next pianist but I was not there when she played.
I heard from closed sources that she was just as good
As I knew she would.
She was not only a gifted musician but she also was a wonderful singer.
My family told me she passed on doing what she loved best.
She played her heart out on that piano and died one day at our church.
My mother told me Ms. Baker had told her prior that's how she wanted to go.
Still, it was a great shock to the rest.

On a different subject, I remember the anniversary Sundays where after church, great cooks would have their food on display.
They would bring collard greens, fried chicken, ham, fish, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie, green beans, cornbread, pound cake, and chocolate cake.
Those ladies could really cook.
If you had to take seconds home, you knew you were really hooked.

My grandmother would bring her famous dish or two.
She taught me how to bake a pound cake from scratch.
I followed her as a Sunday school teacher.
Teaching and learning about God, we were a good match.

However, I never would bring a dish to the social events.
As one of my aunts kept saying, I was a mess.
I didn't believe her.
I thought I was still a work in progress.

Our best asset was our Sunday school classes.
The kids came in full.
They came with their families-the Glenn's, the Townsend's, the Smith's, and the Price's.
In the community, they had a lot of pull.

We had fun after church.
Brother Townsend would organize activities for the crew.
That man was dear to me.
He always encouraged me but never lectured me.
I understood-he didn't have to say much.

Brother Glenn inspired me too.
He was one of my grandmother's longtime friends.
He stayed that way to the very end.

I say thank you to all who treated me nice.
They inspired my life.
I say thank you to Brother Red Cap, Brother Uncle Budd, Brother Lacy, and Brother Price, and this energized lady, Ms. Eva Mae.
While there, you kept me from going astray.
Frankie P. was my good friend and for him I had that platonic love.
I believe he is now watching over us for up above.

My grandmother had other friends I remember were good to her back in the day.
They were part of the Usher board with her as they tried to come together for the church in every way.
There were Ms. Allen, Mrs. Townsend, and Ms. Dora.
They were all good friends.
Each one of them, you could always depend.
Mrs. Chris S. and Miss Rosie were on the Mother Board at the early stage.
I lost my friend Earl at an early age.

I remember during the week and weekends Ms. Rosie used to make the best burgers on the place.
I don't know what she put in those juicy burgers but they always bought a smile to my face.

Ms. Dora has always been there for my mother and grandmother as well as Bettie Mae to take them to church.
Out of the kindness of her heart, for a ride they never had to search.

Speaking of my mother, she had travelled beyond and far.
She has now settled with my grandmother and sings in the church choir.
I believe she has found her home now and she will not depart.

When I call to check on family, I ask about the church.
My grandmother tells me people don't come out too much.
I am disappointed, hurt, and such.

Brother Glenn and the rest left an excellent legacy for our church to continue.
I believe it's time for others to make their marks and carry on too.
For the two smartest members, Brother Lacy and Brother Price, I believe this is what Brother Glenn would have wanted you to do.

I can't be there but I shall encourage you on.
While the Midwest was my origin and Des Moines is my favorite home.
St. Mary and Ruleville were where my Christianity was born.