Poetry Reading July 19 at Historic Church

Louise will be giving a poetry reading at St. John's Episcopal Church at Cartoogechaye, just west of Franklin, NC on Wednesday July 19 at 6 p.m.  The reading will pay homage to her great-uncle A. Rufus Morgan, an Episcopal priest who rebuilt the church in the 1940s and was an environmentalist and early maintainer of the Appalachian Trail; to her cousin Frances Cargill, a mainstay of Nantahala Weavers and an active dulcimer player in this area; and to other visionary family and friends, many of whom are buried in this church's cemetery.  Scroll down for a sample poem; scroll further down to see Sally Kesler ferns ~ Sally will also be honored in this reading.  Poetry books will be available for purchase for cash or check only.

Louise Morgan Runyon Poetry Reading

St. John's Episcopal Church at Cartoogechaye

542 St. John's Church Rd., Franklin, NC 28734

(6 miles west of Franklin off Hwy. 64 ~ see directions below)

Wednesday, July 19, at 6 p.m.

~ following the 5 p.m. service ~

 Reading will take place outdoors, weather permitting, otherwise in church 

www.LouiseRunyonPerformance.com

St. John's Church recently hosted the dedication of the newest Trail of Tears historical marker commemorating Sand Town, a Cherokee settlement of those who escaped the Trail of Tears to remain in the mountains.  Among these were Chief Chuttahsotee and his wife, Cunstagih, both of whom are buried on the grounds of this beautiful church.  Louise's ancestor, William Siler, deeded land to Chief Chuttahsotee at this site so that he and his family would not be forced onto the Trail of Tears.

Directions from Franklin:

--  U.S. 64 West c. 6 miles

--  R onto  Charles Nolan Rd. (just past Carl Slagle Rd.)

--  Go less than a mile, take first major R onto Setser Rd.

--  Setser Rd. makes a L turn to become St. John's Church Rd.

--  1st R into church

my cousin Frances                                                                

sharp of mind till the very end

keen of eyesight, possessed of hearing

only slow of speech, and eating

not slow of thinking, or of caring

 

Frances, the mountain girl

who left her mountains for 50 years or so

for Washington, D.C., for New England, for South Carolina

who finally made it back to the 100-year-old cabin

to play the dulcimer and the bowed psaltry

and to weave

 

who, with Sally, for 20 years was a mainstay

at the Nonah Weavers’ cabin

who wove the complex traditional overshot patterns

with ease

who wove fabric for an elegant suit

for her daughter

who wove scarves and curtains and baby blankets

and a bishop’s stole in red and white

 

Frances wove everything –

hand towels and dish towels, wash cloths and bath mats

inserts for Christmas cards and bookmarks – my treasures

 

Frances wove her own shroud

which covered the box meant to contain her ashes

which she kept for years

till she was ready

 

Frances, who, with her daughter and Sally

went “galaxing” every late fall,

gathered the large round leathery leaves,

prized by florists, into green bouquets

and mailed them to my mother and me every Christmas

sending the scent of the mountains to our homes

the green bouquets which would last till spring

 

Frances, who gave me sanctuary

the many times I came to see my aunt

(first cousin to Frances)

at the nursing home nearby

 

Frances, who sang “Amazing Grace”

in the Cherokee language at my aunt’s memorial service

at the tiny mountain church in the woods

where I will one day be buried

amidst the mosses and the ferns

Silkscreens of ferns by Sally Kesler, who will also be honored in this poetry reading: