4th Of July Poem

Cowboy grandma publishes three books

Helen Schmill first saw his name printed at the age of eight after she sent a poem to the Herald Tribune Casper in 1935. The newspaper published his poem on the American flag for July 4.

This summer she is excited to see her writing again to reach an audience. In June, ExLibris Copyright Schmill posted copies of his first three published books. Book of his children, a volume of poetry and an adaptation of play are available for purchase at www.amazon.com and www2.xlibris.com and soon appear in books and maps Tomcats in the Sunrise Mall.

Bible Scripture inspired Schmill "A grandmother, Songs of the Old Testament (An autobiography of life)." She said when she called the biblical passages in his life, often in times of trial, she found the strength and love. She wrote each poem in the book is accessible and reassuring to those who need it. Schmill was so inspired that she has completed 79 of them in 20 days and is currently working on a companion volume, "A New Testament Hymns grandmother."

"The good poems just come out of the sky," said Schmill. "I pray when I need a poem. Very soon, the angels give me one."

The author adapted one of his favorite stories for the stage in "Paradise Lost, 2011, a game playing for churches and schools." Rick Potter, monuments Casper illustrated the cover. This adaptation of John Milton's epic poem provides sets and costumes while simple suggestions Schmill directions not to call for the text difficult to remember.

Children of Casper College / University of Wyoming Professor John Kambutu illustrated "A morning with God," a multi-cultural color of human skin.Nganga Evans to 13 years and Timothy Nganga 8 years displayed their familiarity with Kenya in their drawings. Schmill believes children's drawings have an undeniable charm and are ideal book for children. She was 75 when she took the class where she met and befriended Kambutu. Schmill love for learning at school kept on and off. In 2000 she obtained a BA in social studies and humanities / arts. It also has a partner in journalism, three degrees from the University of Wyoming. She’s a member of Alpha Chi Omega and past president of the University of Wyoming Casper alumna chapter.

Schmill continues to write constantly since her patriotic poem — not the last time she submitted to the local daily paper. Perhaps she’s best known for her letters to the editor in the Casper Star-Tribune. While living for a time in Texas, she also wrote letters there and debated by pen with long-time atheist activist Madalyn Murray O’Hair. Many times she’s written to the Wyoming congressional delegation and was a regular pen pal with former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson.

USA Patriotism! ... Poem > 4th of July by Chuck Weiskircher

The fourth of July is a very special day
With picnics and fireworks and rides in the hay.
Americans all gather to celebrate the birth of our nation
Passing on our beliefs and hopes to the next generation.

We sing Yankee Doodle and watch a parade
And eat our fried chicken in a tree’s shade.
We make lemonade and crank up some ice cream
And consider the past as if it were just a dream.

But our countries founding fathers fought the good fight
Because they knew living as free men was everyone’s right.
They wrote the Declaration of Independence and then the Bill of Rights
So that the world would know for what beliefs we are willing to fight.

Among the first of our precious rights according to their words
Was the right to free speech so all men may be heard.
The right to keep and bear arms is next on the list
To protect the first right I believe was the jist.

Just because our forefathers wrote up a constitution
The Declaration of Independence was not the final solution.
A war was waged by armies from the North and the South
The war was not fought by words from a politician’s mouth.

The landmarks remain where the battles took place
Where one side or the other gave their enemies chase.
Good men died fighting on each side
Widows and orphans on both sides cried.

Both sides were sure they were in the right
They both followed orders to continue the fight.
Finally it happened and the Americans won at last
And the freedoms we hold dear to future generations we pass.