Friday, October 1, 2021

A Faith Baldwin poem for her birthday

 Although Faith Baldwin, born October 1, 1893, was a prolific writer, I have never owned any of her novels. I guess they were considered chic lit of the 1930s. 

But I do read her four autobiographies year round and she inspires me--otherwise I wouldn't have kept the picture of her at her desk that serves as my blog header above all these years.

This past year I've been picking up her novels as I found them in thrift or antique stores, and on particularly stressful days I often choose one for relaxing bedtime reading, remembering each time that she was bosom friends with dear Gladys Taber.

 


 The red covers are pretty and give me a chance to show you a treasure RH found at Goodwill this summer, a 1950s type of sunburst clock, only with petals on the rays, that shines on our old dark v-groove plank walls.

 


To honor Faith Baldwin on her 128th birthday, if my math is right, here is a blessing/poem she wrote that I have always loved, never more so than now.

I have come back to quiet ways; to

     Things of silent wonder, instinct

          with delight;

To dusk, that closes in like darling wings--

     To primrose dawns and lamplit,

          hearth-warm night;

To mending bag, to laughter, and old books,

     To loud-voiced clock and table laid for tea

And that brown urchin of a dog who looks

     From sandwich plate to mistress,

          wistfully--

Thus, Lord, my spirit keep--in humbleness,

     In still simplicity of gentle days,

This house, the love within, lean to bless

And hold our feet upon the homely ways. 

 


 

40 comments:

  1. What a treasure she is! Thanks for educating us on these wonderful authors, Dewena. We need their beauty now more than ever! 💖

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    1. Kim, it's fun for me to share the old authors. I guess it's more for myself, the fun of it, but if even one person discovers an old author that makes me very happy.

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  2. Oh this is fun to read about one of your favorite authors and also the inspiration she is to you and how you have her on your blog header. Happy Friday Have a great week. xoxo Kris

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  3. What a lovely poem! Thanks for posting it!

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  4. That's a nice poem, Dewena. I enjoyed it, and I love poems. The old red books are treasures, and what a unique clock that is. Your little doggies make the setting in the last photo. Hold onto the love within your house, Dewena. It's my favorite place to be. : )

    ~Sheri

    ps. your wood walls are similar to the pine walls in the dining room of my mountain home.

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    1. I'll tell my furbabies you noticed them, Sheri!

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  5. Beautiful poem! I think a simple life with quiet ways is what most of us yearn for these days.

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    1. I know I do. Well, maybe a little more noise around from family gatherings would be nice.

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  6. Faith sounds like a kindred spirit, Dewena. I have never heard of her writings and will look them up. What a treasure those red-bound books are.
    The clock is a beautiful piece.

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  7. the crazier and more chaotic this world is the more I have a Real need for the voices of the old words and views of beloved authors like Faith and Gladys. I don't own any of their works on my Kindle.
    and until I can have the cataract surgery the kindle seems to be my only comfortable way of reading.
    your posts just warm my heart! and to end with those two adorable tiny furry faces!!! my day is made! Thank you Dewena! XOXO

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    1. Tam, that last picture was not that great but I put it in for their Auntie Tam to see. I knew you would love it. You will be amazed at how wonderful you can see after you have cataract surgery!

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  8. Thank you for sharing. I needed to read this poem today. Feeling a wee bit overwhelmed with the crazy of the world today.
    Love, Carla

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    1. I'm sorry about you feeling a bit overwhelmed, Carla. I hope this weekend brings you some rest and peace. Love to you!

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  9. Dewena, your clock is lovely as are the wonderful red bound books and great poem. I will have to read about her. Have a great week ahead!

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    1. She was a thoroughly nice woman, Sandra. How do I know that? Because every year she spent a week at Gladys Taber's visiting and Gladys visited her also. How I wish there were vlogs in existence showing the conversations those two had!

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  10. Beautiful poem, lovely clock, and pretty red books that hold a special place in your heart!

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    1. Thank you, Amy, and I'm glad you enjoyed Baldwin's poem!

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  11. That's a beautiful, peaceful poem! Perfect for October. That clock is a treasure. You've inspired me to look at some of my old books of poetry.

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    1. You're right, Madame La-Bas, it does seem to be perfect for October. I've had it written down for decades and can't really remember where I found it but I'm pretty sure that it was in one of Gladys Taber's books, probably when she was writing about her friend Faith visiting for a week. I remember they always worked on a large picture puzzle that week, which was the opportunity for long talks while they were working on it. Sounds lovely to me!

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  12. Oh, isn't that wonderful. I like the dog part especially. I read one fiction by her that I really, really liked. Mavis of Green Hill. Lovely book. 1921.

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    1. That was a really early book of hers! I've enjoyed two of the ones I bought, love reading the domestic details of those days.

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  13. I learned of Faith Baldwin through you a year or so ago. I have her book, Testament of Trust. I love reading a new chapter at the beginning of each month. What a lovely poem you shared with us!

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    1. I remember now that you said you'd ordered it. That's my favorite too!

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  14. Thank you for this beautiful poem, dear Dewena, it was a real blessing this morning. I'll look for Faith Baldwin books, she sounds like the sort of writer I'll enjoy (and to know that she comes Gladys Taber-approved is very reassuring :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Amalia! And yes, Gladys Taber-approved is all I need.

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  15. That poem moved me so... thank you so much!

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  16. My heart absolutely melted as I read the paragraph from Faith's book. It reminded me of gentle times in my own home when we weren't faced with the troubles and tragedies of life. I hope she has more to say in this regard. Can you tell me the names of her books?. I have a source for old books and I trust your recommendations very much.

    I'm trying to get back into blogging, but I won't give any promises! Maybe even a photo and a few lines...I have a new post up.

    Sending love to one of my favorite ladies!❤️

    Jane

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  17. Hello Dewena,
    It has been a while! Hope you are well! I have seen that clock before although I cannot remember where.... I do love these words by Faith and can totally relate. I will be looking for these books.

    I hope to get back to blogging at some point or at the very least back to reading some of my favorite blogs. Take good care, Linda

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  18. Many of the things mentioned in that poem I have never left, or have come back to with fall... but the one thing I really need to come back to this particular fall is The Mending Bag!!!

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  19. I have always loved your blog header, Dewena. Now I know who is in the photo. Lovely to read a little about Faith Baldwin. And such a lovely poem of hers you shared. I would be interested in the autobiographies you mention, so I'll have to keep a look out.

    Wishing you a beautiful week ahead...
    Brenda xo

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  20. Dewena, I have never heard of this write/poet I am now going to go investigate further and try to find some of her books. It is always nice to see you here and to see your sweet pups, I am not sure if you know this but I have three dachshunds myself.

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  21. I just came back to read again, and am so glad I did, because a friend and I have plans to visit our favorite used bookstore next week, and I am reminded to put Faith Baldwin at the top of my list to look for.

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  22. Dewena, you have mentioned Faith Baldwin in previous posts,
    and I have always enjoyed reading about her, as well as YOUR
    accompanying commentary, and this post does not differ.

    Yes, indeed, the author's observations, feelings and thoughts about life's simple pleasures and appreciating them, could have been written in our times! I imagined all she wrote about, and each and every occurrence is a blessing, and she quietly felt it.

    Thank you for sharing this beautifully inspiring piece of writing.

    Poppy xo

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  23. MISS YOU!! Please come back. Hope all is well, happy holidays!

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  24. I have lost touch with you. SO nice to see you here. I hope you will be back. HUGS & LOVE across the miles

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