Note from Nick: “It was so heartening to see and to think that others will see how that piece penned so long ago became such a perfect fit for Leora’s Letters.”
He lived on 34th Street in Des Moines at the time he wrote “that scrap of poetry,” having rented a house with three of his Drake University friends:
Jim Vandevanter of Panora – retired owner of Dowd Drug in Guthrie Center (which was begun by Nick’s grandfather).
Warren Grant of Dexter – whose mother Winifred worked at Drake (whose family went to church in Dexter with Joy’s family). Warren died of cancer a couple of years ago, but had taken over Al Bell‘s school popular school assemblies programs.
Charlie Skeens of Chicago – who “adopted” Iowa and is now deceased.
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Photo of Nick, 2009.
“Meadowlark” was written in the late ’60s but its time hadn’t come until Joy and I began to correspond. It was as if it was preserved for a reason through many moves. Des Moines. Nashville. Chicago. Mystic [Connecticut], then back to Nashville.
What a lovely poem. Every now and then I hear a meadowlark down here, and it brings back sweet memories.
I am so pleased to be able to read the poem – it didn’t show in your last post.
Anne, I hadn’t asked for permission to use the whole thing. Nick said I could choose whether to or not. Generosity won!
I am so pleased it did!
Simplicity & creativity at its finest ~ lovely poem 🙂
Very fitting, indeed. Wonderful poem.
Oh, “Meadowlark” is much more than “that scrap of poetry,” much more.
Makes you wonder what he’s still got tucked away in his old college books!
Indeed!!
That’s a very beautiful poem.
[…] poem by Nick Dowd at the beginning of the book makes it even more poignant. […]
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