Will on the Hill
By Phyllis Bowles
May, 2005
Tulsa Will Rogers High School Class of ‘54
Will on the Hill
Memories soar to bygone times when we were in our teens.
The “Fifties” were so magical as I recall the scenes.
Walking home with my friends, it was always such a joy,
how my heart would skip a beat when with a certain boy.
The school was our safe harbor, no drugs nor guns were known.
Within its walls we were secure and never felt alone.
The other night I took a trip down my memory road and with my
Children at twilight, we approached “Ol’ Will”—and still it gave
a sweet and welcome glow.
Emotion began to creep into my very being and tears that instantly
filled my eyes, crystallized, as my old school was seeing.
It still was very beautiful, but time had taken its toll—and just
like all the rest of us, it too was getting old
Jamison checked the inside by peeking through the door.
I took a seat on the senior bench as I had years before.
Gentry took lots of pictures and Joey liked what he saw.
I felt just like a kid again as I sat on the bench in awe.
Once again I read the names engraved upon the stone
and I felt the presence of the Class of 1941.
From ’41 to ’05 Will Rogers has served us well, the
stories that echo through its halls are too numerous to tell.
Not every one succeeded and many we have lost, but in our
memories of a bygone time, ALL our paths have crossed.
Maybe not in person but many in our thoughts, and still
we’ll reminisce at times about what life has brought.
The good times and the bad times, our memories are ours to tell,
when once upon a bygone time our life commenced at a school
we called, our wonderful “Will on the Hill.”
———————————
Here are the photos Gentry & Joey took the day referenced in the poem.
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[...] SchoolA poem by Phyllis Winn-Bowles about her alma mater. Will Rogers high school Class of 1954.http://www.bowlesonline.com/guinny/will-on-the-hillAmazon.com: Teaching Poetry in High School: Albert B. Somers: BooksAre you nervous about teaching a [...]
Phyllis,
I am looking at the ‘54 Lariat and you do look familiar. I’m Steve Wixson from the Class of ‘55 and high school photographer who saved all of his negatives, scanned them into the computer and discovered many are of classmates from’54. I would like to borrow a current copy of your latest reunion yearbook (or anything with contact info) so I can share photos and also get permission to publish a few of them in a book I am trying to put together. Thanks, Steve
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