(“Pea-picker’s Child dies” the shallow
headlines read, speaking of Joe and Jennie
Bell’s seventh child and only daughter…”)
She was a pea-picker’s child.
After six boys, their only girl,
learning her first steps and how to talk.
When she came down with Whooping,
it ravished her flesh-and her fight;
and never again did she even try to walk.
Her mom and dad were labeled pea-pickers,
cheap hard labor to earn little money, and
they were always travelling the road.
Her parents worked tirelessly day in
And day out, yet, still couldn’t afford
to buy the produce they sowed.
Three cots and a gasoline container
as a makeshift stove were inside a
tent that her family called home.
They had had to sell their belongings
and go in search of work,
left destitute and forced to roam.
Zetilla had never been in a house
until she was taken to the undertaker’s.
Not yet two, on the road, she had died;
just as she had been born on the road. At her
funeral, hoping the hymn’s words were true,
her momma’s voice magnified…
♫We’ll never pay rent for our mansion
Our taxes will never come due
Our garments will never grow threadbare
But always be faceless and new.
We’ll never be hungry or thirsty,
Nor languish in poverty there,
For all the rich bounties of Heaven
His sanctified children will share♫
**posted for OLN at dVerse and Poetry Jam. In researching the above photo-taken by Dorthea Lange in 1936-and the Great Depression, I came across the story here of Zetilla Kane told by her tearful daddy...and just had to write about it. What a horrible time it must have been living in the 30's. Although, I guess we may not be too far from it, if our leaders aren't careful. **The hymn in the poem is titled "No Disappointment in Heaven" and was written in 1914 by Frederick Martin Lehman.
We’ll never be hungry or thirsty,
Nor languish in poverty there,
For all the rich bounties of Heaven
His sanctified children will share♫
**posted for OLN at dVerse and Poetry Jam. In researching the above photo-taken by Dorthea Lange in 1936-and the Great Depression, I came across the story here of Zetilla Kane told by her tearful daddy...and just had to write about it. What a horrible time it must have been living in the 30's. Although, I guess we may not be too far from it, if our leaders aren't careful. **The hymn in the poem is titled "No Disappointment in Heaven" and was written in 1914 by Frederick Martin Lehman.
goodness.what a story...cool that you came upon it in your research and well told...sad...ugh
ReplyDeletegreat story and wonderul last stanza, enjoyed the rhyme with your great chime.
ReplyDeleteoh wow caty...sad but awesome write..
ReplyDeleteSad story, well-written. I worked with migrant workers for a few months in CA. Difficult living conditions, hard life.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. Really tragic, as your poem recognizes. K
ReplyDeleteThank you for the visit and comment at my blog. What a great story for the picture. I think that is what poets do best, find the good stories right under everyone's noses.
ReplyDeleteCaty, thanks for dropping into "5th Dimension".
ReplyDeleteBorn in 1933, I recall from about 1936 some memories.
1. I never felt we were poor
2. Almost everyone was in same boat
3. We were actually 'wealthy'.
Hey I really enjoyed your version, and the lyrics of that old hymn say SO much for the faith of those Peeps living during those trying years...of survival, and of untimely deaths.
Thank You.
PEACE!
Such a sad but marvelous piece. My mother told me of her childhood and how poor they were. She hinted at horrible secrets, but she never told us.
ReplyDeletePoverty....the spoiler....well put Caty
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write! Captures a piece of Americana History quite nicely.
ReplyDeletesad, well put.
ReplyDeleteZetilla had never been in a house
ReplyDeleteuntil she was taken to the undertaker’s.
Well done! Very sad.
During the 30s my grandparents took in three people who were without homes, food, work .. I cannot imagine how difficult it was.
ReplyDelete