Some Broken Twigs

The Press of Flozari, Pegasus Studios Box 5804, Cleveland, 1, Ohio 1946
Dedicated to my granddaughter BETTY TODD BRISTOW the new mother
We are grateful for permission to include certain poems that were first published in Caravan of Verse, Cass County Democrat, 1943 Chipmunk, From, Lyricists Reflections, 1940 Song Poems, The New Earth, Tulsa Tribune, and 1941 Visions.
45: Brown Plumes 51: More Brown Plumes 63: Sunshine and Rain 73: Clear Crystals (Second Printing) 88: Only Pebbles 94: Golden Leaves 98: Sail High Above
In the four seasons of the year there are many beautiful days as well as dismal days in life. The broken twigs and trails, as well as the good ones go to make up this world. All mark and show posterity the way out of the woods.
These poems, and many other poems written by Mrs. Beede show these things and the wonders of nature.
As only a true mother can, she has shown me these wonders. I sincerely hope that all who read her poems will appreciate them as I do and reap the benefit of the morals of her thoughtful and enjoyable poems and know as I do her love of nature and things beautiful.
Genevieve Beede Henderson
For maid and lad New York is fairy land, Delightful charms in gorgeous brilliant lure! Our youth do struggle on ambition's tour. They meet life's challenge with true heart and hand. Forgotten trails are marked with scar and wand; A blasted rock and broken twigs assure The traveler that others fought the moor, And sailed the stormy breakers, crossed the sand To build the city on a granite slab. They tamed the wilderness, a sturdy clan! Retracing paths recall the glory made, Lays bare the secrets of the field and lab. Such tours give hope for future life and plan. Brave men have set the torch with ax and spade.
The coddled youth, like greenhouse plant Will wilt and die in desert sand, Can never meet the storms of life, Untried and mild and soft his hands.
He walks within the favored nooks, Protected there much more than those, Who meet the challenge face ahead, And struggle on to conquer foes.