The loss of a poet – their works shall not die
Published 6:00 am Friday, November 12, 2010
This week, Meridian, and the entire state, mourned the loss of a poet. Mrs. Winifred Farrar. She was a well-loved member of our community and will be sorely missed.
Mrs. Farrar (nee, Hamrick) was born 1923 on a family farm near Collinsville. She was a 1945 graduate of The University of Mississippi. She married Robert H. Farrar, and taught English for thirty years in the Meridian Public School System – junior and senior high schools. Mrs. Farrar earned a Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1962. She was appointed Poet Laureate of Mississippi by Gov. Ross Barnett on 31 July 1978.
Her works:
Moral intention in the work of William Faulkner: a call for positive action (1962)
Cry Life (1968)
The Seeking Spirit (1974)
Behind the Ridge (1987)
These are the facts of her life, but there was so much more. The works of this poet will never die.
Mrs. Farrar was the longtime faculty sponsor for the Meridian High School annual, Reverie, and sponsor as well of Quill and Scroll, International Honorary Society for High School Journalists. She was an inspiration to her students. Those students who sat in her class to learn were well rewarded. Mrs. Farrar displayed a true passion – a passion to teach. She was loved and respected. Even today I have continued to hear the words of her admirers as the news of her passing riffled throughout the community. She truly cared about her students.
Now Gov. Barbour must make a decision. He must appoint the next Poet Laureate of Mississippi. Who shall it be? In the minds of Meridianites, Mrs. Farrar was the very best. Yes, Gov. Barbour will have a tough decision.
The first Poet Laureate of Mississippi, Maude Willard Leet Prenshaw, was appointed 1963 and served until her 1971 death. Next was Louise Moss Montgomery – appointed 1973 and served until 1978. The title, Poet Laureate, speaks to the poet’s intense support of the art form, their expertise, and willingness to share their knowledge and creativity. Yes, Mrs. Farrar was the very best to represent Mississippi.
I am positive that each poet mentioned in this column today would applaud the efforts of Poetry Out Loud – National Recitation Contest sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, The Poetry Foundation, and individual State Arts Agencies. The Mississippi Arts Commission administers the program for our state.
During the last two years, I have been privileged to serve as a judge for the state finals and as a volunteer in support of this free program geared for grades 9 through 12. I have witnessed the building of public speaking skills, self-confidence, improvement of reading comprehension, and the opportunity to learn the importance of literary heritage. Poetry Out Loud guides the teachers and students into a deeper, richer understanding of the power of language as well as an introduction to great poets and their work.
In addition, Poetry Out Loud offers all students opportunities to compete for awards, prizes, and recognition. The structure of the competition begins at classroom level. The students move from the levels of classroom, school-wide, and regional competitions. The regional winners continue to the state finals. Last year the state competition was held in Jackson at Mississippi Public Broadcasting. The state champion was John Uzodinma from Rosa Scott High School, Madison, MS. Second Place, Kristen Dupard, Ridgeland High School, and Third Place, Sarah Solarez, Mississippi Schools of the Arts, Brookhaven. John Uzodinma was awarded a cash prize of $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the National Contest. His school received a $500 stipend for purchase of poetry books/materials. The runner-up received $100 cash prize with $200 for their school library. At the National Contest, winners can win $1000, $5000, or the grand prize of $20,000.
All Mississippi schools, grades 9 through 12, may participate – includes private and home schools. The deadline to sign a school for participation is December 10. Contact Ken Bolinsky, #601/823-0642 or email .
I know it is because of the dedication of teachers such as Mrs. Farrar that Poetry Out Loud continues to grow. Today it is appropriate to include in this memorial to Mrs. Farrar a favorite poem quoted by many of the Poetry Out Loud student competitors. I am certain she would approve:
“O Captain! My Captain!”
By Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass. 1900.
(concerns the death of Abraham Lincoln)
1.
O Captain! my Captain! Our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
2.
O Captain! my captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up – for you the flag is flung – for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths – for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
3
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring. O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
Sleep well Mrs. Winifred Hamrick Farrar, revered Poet Laureate of Mississippi. You will not be forgotten by the many lives you have inspired. Your works shall not die.
Anne B. McKee is an author and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi. Visit her web site: www.annemckee.net.