Lines from Collings Hill. Nellie Hunt Collings

ever written, called “The Boys in Blue”. The next morning I read them to Ma, and she had me read them to Pa, I can see him now, with the tears standing in his eyes. Next I wrote a poem called “Remember the Maine,” I wrote one about Amy, only I used the name of Milly in it. I finally got me a notebook to write my poems in, but one winter in school some one “swiped” it or it was lost, I don’t remember which.

      Ed, George, Alvin, Howard, and Nellie Hunt, about 1887

1. Nellie was born Nellie Eliza Hunt, according to the Monroe Ward Membership Records and the Marriage License signed in their hands by both Mother and Dad. She didn’t like the name so changed it some time during her adolescence—RWC

      Spring 1900

      About this time in my life I wrote a poem called “Two Flowers”. I sent it to Salt Lake City to the Deseret Sunday School Union Board. I was afraid they wouldn’t publish it and I didn’t want anyone to make fun of it, so I never told any one, not even Mother or Janie. It was printed all right, but I [didn’t] find out about it until years after. Here it is:

      Two Flowers

      By the old stone wall in the garden two flowers grew side by side

      One was a beautiful rosebud, whose beauty, alas, was her pride.

      The other, a fair sweet lily of such a modest hue,

      Who lived for the love she gave and received and the good that she could do.

      The rose bud was discontented with the simple life she led,

      Warmed by the gentle sunbeam and by the dew drops fed.

      She never thought of thanking the sun for his gentle ray

      And gave no heed to the Zephyr who kindly came her way.

      Tired of peaceful solitude, she longed to go away

      Far from her safe and quiet homes and live a life so gay.

      One day a stranger passing, from her stem the sweet rose tore,

      And that haughty flower’s thankless heart was quickly stationed o’er

      [Proudly content in her new career, unreasoning helpless thing,

      Felt she no shame at that rude caress, no keen resentful sting

      She knew she was leaving her birthplace, the lonely little spot,

But her heart had gained its fond wish, for which it long had sought.]2

      Into the brilliant ballroom he carried the blossom fair,

      Then farther into the gay saloon, with its vile and stifling air,

      But her beautiful color faded, her breath no longer sweet,

      And the careless hand that had plucked her, cast her out in the stony street.

      Alone in the cold dark gutter, unwept and unhonored she died

      This beautiful rosebud, whose beauty, alas, was her pride.

      “Just a pretty flower, Mama,” was the dying baby’s call.

      And the mother found the lily by the Old Stone Wall.

      The flower was placed in the Darling’s hand and together they died the two,

      The lily grateful and full of joy for the good that she could do.

      [Aged 17, 1900, written in Monroe, Utah]

2. This stanza is included in RWC’s transcription of the poems, but not in his transcription of the journals themselves.

      Nov. 4, 1904

      My Dear Nellie:—I received your most welcome letter this morning as the train was late last night I did not go to the office until this morning and I can tell you I was glad to hear from you again, to know that you are well and getting along as well as you are. I am well and getting along nicely, as I have changed boarding places, and am staying with my sister Alice at present, but working for father just the same.… I wish you were here this evening for there is a grand theater on and I guess every body is having a gay time. By the way where in the world did you find that sweet little piece of poetry.…

      Happiness—A Recipe

      To make it: Take a hall dimly lit;

      A pair of stairs where two can sit;

      Or soft music, a bar or so;

      Two spoons of—to spoons you know

      Of little love pats, one or two,

      Or one squeezed hand, instead, will do;

      A waist—the size to be embraced!

      Two ripe lips rose red, to taste;

      And if the lips are soft and sweet

      You’ll find your happiness complete.

      —Selected

      Ralph Collings, about 1903

      1910

      Since I was a girl in school I have been putting together some verses, even submitting some to the church magazines but only receiving the usual rejection slips. However, one was printed, unknown to me for many years as I have already written, but I have continued to put words to rhyme ever since and have given them or read them at specific occasions. A few years ago when Zelda Newby lost her little baby I wrote these lines and gave them to her. Since then I have used these words of consolation to help other sorrowing mothers. Today I wrote it out for Gwendolyn La Rocke—May 6, 1940.

      Sunbeam

      Like a ray of sunshine, sent from the realms above,

      Came your sweet little baby breathing a message of love.

      Like a sunbeam earthward bound she came to cheer your souls

      And a place in your hearts found.

      She has gone to Heaven again you cannot see her now;

      But still a ray of Heavenly light is lingering on your brow.

      Your beautiful little Darling came not here to stay,

      But like the golden sunbeams, to drive your cares away.

      Though the darkness is about you, cry not in wild dismay

      For the One who stilled the billows, will roll the clouds away;

      All about is dark and dreary, but Dear Friends, hope on! hope on!

      Remember the night is darkest, just before the Dawn.

      As the Shepherd carries the little lamb over the desert wide,

      The mother will ever be found hovering eagerly at His side

      Up where the grass is green and sweet with the morning dew,

      Your little lamb has gone and is waiting there for you.

      (This poem was written in the year 1910 for Zelda Brown [Newby] when her baby died. I have copied it for a few others. )

      May 1910

      A Missionary Poem

      God has called you forth, Dear Brother,

      His grand message to proclaim

      In the Name of Christ, Our Saviour,

      In his Own Dear Holy Name

      Go you forth, then O! Dear Brother