"THE HILLS
    OF CAROLINA"
          POETRY- SONGS
           STORIES - ART
A COLLECTION OF WORKS                        BY
        WILLIE PAULINE
     Haygood COOK (Coffey)

"Home in Carolina"  A Drawing
              by Willie Cook

 Forward:

                by Heather Barbara Jean Walker Gideon

I present this memorial with gratitude to my Grandmother Willie
for the inspiration she gave me to recognise the desire in myself
to be a writer. When I or a family member would receive a letter
from her, written more in the form of a novel or story than an
ordinary letter, I was intrigued and wanted to have the same type
of ability. I know that somewhere along the line this desire took
root and played an important part in my own destiny.

Willie loved the beauty of nature, especially those "Carolina Hills", and could express what she saw always a little beyond normal vision.She would write her thoughts on bits of paper and in letters to family and friends. Therefore, most of those treasures are distributed around the country without a copy of the original to preserve the precious creative moments she experienced.                         

Her life ended on March 26, l986, but not her legacy. The writings of Willie Pauline Cook are a small testament of her life and contribution to those who were fortunate to have known her closely or to have just passed her way briefly. Her caring spirit kept her door open for all who came near. Her wit and humor drew you near her and echoed you back to her again to be in her presence, to wait upon her gift of storytelling , to hear her honest and childlike laugh, and receive a bit her wisdom and philosophy which would leave you ever changed. Here are gathered a few examples of her devotion to the spirit which tugged at the strings of her heart to share her zest for life and put it on paper.

             "THE HILLS OF CAROLINA"(title poem)
by Willie Cook

These are hills, the everlasting hills; With color splashed trees and swift singing rills.
While up and away bounds the antlered deer,At the sound of a rifle, loud and clear.
~~~~~~~~~

The bear has chosen his place to sleep,'Neath a rocky cliff where scarcely a peep,
Of daylight can pierce the thickening gloom, Of the cave he has chosen for his bedroom.
Such a hasting to gather a bountiful hoard, Of acorns and nuts for his winter's board.
The squirrel needs no one to tell him why, But he knows the autumn is slipping by.

Oh, who would love to hasten away, To the forest to spend a wonderful day;
Away from the news of war and strife, To seek a refreshing outlook on life?
So close to nature we revel and pant, While climbing to music of fairies chant.
It could be the breeze that goes whisking by, With a myriad of leaves that quiver and sigh.

Then we stop to rest at the summit high, And watch the white mist go drifting by.
The raven croaks atop the dead tree. "Here am I, traveler, please see me."
                    Oh, mystic morn when I was a child, Untouched by the passing winter wild;
When life was a dream of roses and dew, Sweet smelling violets, trailing arbutus, too.

"Yours truly" sitting in the old walnut tree with barn in background

"THE JOURNEY"

Would you like to go on a journey? Then come and go with me.
We will hoist a sail, seek a place, That is far beyond the sea.

Where the sunbeams sink like fire, Into the quiet waters of a lagoon;
Where lovebirds plant their desire, And the drowsy tree frogs croon.

This is the land of "Never, Never", The place where all our dreams come true.
By the side of a sparkling river, Will there be a place for me and you?

Here, wars are only as an echo, Of a horrid fleeting cry;
Time stands still, yet all are happy, As you shall see by and by.

We will come to the end of our seeking. Where the gold gleams without dross;
But, before we reach it my brother, There are rivers and mountains to cross.

Lake Scene by my husband, Artist-Sculptor Gideon

"THE FOOL"

A fool there was who dwelt alone,
Within a cold gray stone;
He placed his gold upon a shelf
And loved it as he loved himself.

No friends to speak a kindly word,
Now ever in him did he feel the urge;
To do a deed to help his fellowman,
Or find some comfort ere his years over ran.

No wonder then that this man was forgot,
And no one cared if he lived or not.
A miser who was seemingly content,
To sit and count his money without stint.

One day a hunter by a storm was forced,
Chilled more than by icy waters coursed,
To find a refuge in the gloomy cave;
The sight was one of which no one could save.

Beside the boulder heaped so high with gold,
Sat a grinning skeleton with hands so cold.
Yet buried 'neath the coins so gleaming bright,
There was no crumb of food in sight.

"A TITLED WEDDING"(1936-40)
(A poetic story told in the titles,I'm sure, of some of the many books she had read)

"A woman named Smith" came to church to be "The Black Hunter's" bride",
And, "Valiant Dog" of "The Timberline" was walking by her side.
"The Little Minister" was there, and "Chip of the Flying U".
There sat "The Happy Family" in "The Old Peabody Pew".

"Behind That Curtain" was "Jewel" with "The Maid of Maiden Lane",
"The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" with the bridesmaid "Betty Zane".
"Freckles", "A Girl of Timberlost" was "A Spinner in the Sun".
She played "The Master's Violin", when "The Leaven of Love" was done.

They stood by "The Opened Shutters" as "The Scarlet Letter" was read.
"The Trinity Bells" rang "Seventeen" times as "The Door" opened on ahead.
They left in "The Covered Wagon" for "The Valley of Silent Men".
They kept the "Red Wheels Rolling" with the help of "The Little Men".

"The Long Shadow" fell on "Sweet Clover", down "The Trail of The Lonesome Pine".
They paused at "The Foot of the Rainbow", "Daddy Longlegs" brought supper at nine.
"Charlie Chan" carries on as they slumber, 'neath "The Light of the Western Star".
"The Last of the Mohicans" was silent while "Drums" were heard from afar.

There's "Death in the Air", said "Agatha". There were "Thirteen for Dinner" tonight.
I'll "Escape" on "The Wings of the Morning", with "Rabbit" before it is light.
She picked up "Three Bright Pebbles", from "The Good Earth" on which she stood.
Tis "Easy to Kill" murmured "Tarzan" and "Rena's Experiment" was good.

They found a "1000 lb Banknote". "The Duke Steps Out", quoted she;
For, she wore "Thorn and Orange Blossoms", "And One Was Beautiful" to see.
And they lay "The Spectra Bridegroom", "A Mad Love" had brought him his end;
And, there in "The Flaming Forest", his hope had "Gone With the Wind".

So ended "A Man and His Money", As "North to The Orient" went "She".
"When a Man's a Man" we will travel, In a "Phantom Rickshaw" are "We".

"WHAT IS LIFE?"

What is life to maidens fair? It's a lovely fragrant dream,
Of lovers' walks, shady nooks and flowers, That dance beside the stream.
 
(Willie, daughters: JeanDell Faye & Geneva Mahala Cook)
To mothers, life is hope and faith , To help them on each passing day;
Joy and tears, then rest beside the way.
                 
(Grandpa Luther Cook)

To fathers, life is sober earnest work, Whether it be in town or on the land;
Where he plows a furrow straight and deep, Or holds the fate of millions in his hand.

 
( Rita  Paulette & Barbara Jean"Heather"Walker)

To little children with their rosy cheeks, And dimpled feet that dance along in fun;
Life is a play time that will never end, A web of beauty by the fairies spun.

Jared, Robin, Michael,Chad & Rita Walker & Jeffrey Shearin

One of my greatest expectations as a child was looking forward to the summer and holidays when we could go to Grandma's and spend weeks in exciting explorations of the charm of the landscape and visiting with family and neighbors in the area.

                                                         
"Heather" Barbara Walker  & Karen Dotson        Veronica Anne Walker  & David Cook(son of Luther & Patricia)
(in the picture above/left) I am holding a young Karen, we had just spent the day on a picnicby the "Nottley River", wading across the rapid water, swimming, and sharing a very happy day.We saw a rattlesnake and a had a great laugh when a cow ate one of Aunt Jean Dell's straw sandles.
             
  Cousins Gary(Walker), Anne(Walker), Karen(Dotson), Rita (Walker)& Steve(Dotson), the "Old Cook Barn" in the background, on an adventure, exploring the old homestead; and, no doubt, they had to include a search for Arrow-heads and a trip to Aunt Bertha's and Uncle Carl's, through the barb-wire fence, across the meadows and over the spring.

"THE GREAT GUEST COMES"

They said, "The Master's coming, To honor the town today,
But no one can tell at whose house or home, The Master will choose to stay.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

And,I thought, as my heart beat wildly, What if he should come to mine?
How would I strive to entertain And welcome the Guest,Divine?
Then straight I turned to toiling, To make my home more neat.
I swept and polished and garnished, And decked it with flowers, sweet.

I was troubled for fear the Master, Might come ere my task was done;
So I hastened and worked the faster, And watched the surrying sun.
Then right in the midst of my duties, A woman came to my door.
She had come to tell me her troubles, And confort and aid to emplore.

Then I said, I am sorry for you, But I can not help you today.
I look for a great and noble guest, So the pleader went away..
But soon there came another, A beggar both old and grey.
He said, "Oh let me stop and rest awhile, In your home, I pray."

Someone else will have to help you, I've no time for charity.
Someone else will give you a home; So go away and let me be.
Then a little child stood by me, Sweet, but with a trace of teardrops.
Her clothes were tattered and old,
A finger was bruised and bleeding, And her little bare feet were cold.

I said, I can't help you, Though you are greatly in need of care.
Someone will feed and care for you, I'm too busy now, my dear.
At last my toiling was over Twas near the end of the day.
My heart cried out, Oh Master! Why did you not come this way?

Then the Master stood before me, And his face was bright and fair.
Three times today I came to your home, To crave your pity and care.
Three time you sent me onward, Uncared for and uncomforted.
The blessing you might have had is gone, And yor chance to serve has fled.

Oh, Master, dear Master, forgive me! How could I have known it was thee?
My very sould was sunken and bowed, In the depths of humility.
Then He said, "Thy sin is forgiven, But the blessing is lost to thee;
For, in failing to comfort the least of these, You have failed to comfort me.



Willie Cook surrounded by 4 generations of loving family on"Decoration Day" 1980 at "Happy Top Church"

              "PEARLY GATES"(a song)

Where the pearly gates are gleaming, Angels wait for me to come.
In sweet words like music seeming, they will bid me welcome home.

(chorus)
Where the pearly gates are gleaming,
Happiness beyond my dreaming;
In sweet words like music seeming,
they will bid me welcome home.

Mine will be a robe all glorious, when I reach that home so fair.
Mine a diadem victorious, through eternity to wear.

(chorus)

While bright multitudes are swinging, in their hands the victor's palm;
I shall join with them in singing, "worthy, worthy is the Lamb".

(chorus)

Where the pearly gates are gleaming, Angels wait for me to come.
In sweet words like music seeming, they will bid me welcome home.

" Poor Soul "

Poor soul, center of my sinful earth;
Lord of these rebel powers that Thee array,
Why dost thou pine within and suffer death,
Painting they outward wall so costly, gay?

Why so large a cost, having a short lease?
Dost thou upon they fading mansion spend?
Shall worms. Inheritors of this excess,
Eat up thy charge, if this thy body's end?

Then, soul, live; thou upon thy servant's loss;
And let that pine to aggravate thy store,
By terms divine in selling hours of dross.
Within be fed, without be rich no more.

So shall thou feed on death, that feeds on men;
And death once dead, there is no more dying then.
Just, we should not be afraid of death,
Because we know that we have to die one day,

Regardless of whether or not we live in a mansion,
Poor soul, the center of my sinful earth.

Family Photos of Willie & Luther Cook
only a few of us!

        Luther & Willie's Children:


Robert Lee, James Luther jr, Anita Cordelia, Alden Francis, Geneva Mahala, Charlie Monroe, & Jean Dell Faye

Willie's GrandChildren:

Alden,Caylin,Blake Walker & Austin McCord

  Cordelia Anderson  "Brothers"

 
               Robert Lee "Bob" Cook & Wife Evelyn                                 Uncle Charlie Cook

   
WillieBell Portwood McCrary        daughters: Kathy                         Colleen McCrary Lester

Home: Index directory of Luther & Willie Cook family

Geneva's Family: Photos of Geneva's family

COOK'S Hangout  Cook Family Genealogy and related families

 "Gideon Museum"  Gideon Art WebSite

"In Fields of Heather"  Website of Heather (Barbara Jean Walker)Gideon

FEEDBACK:    

I just received this lovely feedback from a cousin who visited this page on Grandma Cook.

From:   pamelapayne@webtv.net (NITEN GAIL)

 "  I loved the way your grandmother wrote. When I`m touched by something I find myself scribbling hasty poems on
scraps of paper.This is the first one  I have written for someone I dont know.My maiden name is Cook.I live in Franklin NC Macon Co.Most of my relatives are from  Jackson Co. (Hense Marvin Cook) ." Pamela

" Grandmother "

I read some beautiful poetry today
Wisdom from a grandmother passed away
Better words have never been spoken
She left those words to be your token

To her words you did take heed
You shall never follow,You were called to lead
When you feel that you just can`t go on
Look at the sky You`re not alone

You received a gift no one can behold
Worth much more than the price of gold
Mere words to others, they may be
But words paint pictures,that I can see.

From the house of Payne

**Note: Please send in URL links if you have related family pages. If you have some writings, family pictures, or ideas  you would like to contribute you may send them to me by mail :
PO Box 2956, Thomasville, Ga. 31799  .....    or by Email .