~ Era Hallady Robinson ~

“Dedication to Mrs. R.B. Watkins

On her 64th birthday, June 16, 1936”

Tho her hair is streaked with silver
And her steps a little slow,
She’s as pure as morning sunshine
In her life on earth below.

She’s a light of inspiration,
In my life, I want to be
Something helpful to somebody
As Mrs. Watkins is to me.

As she treads the upward journey,
Life to her has been so sweet.
May god give her years to serve Him
First to be as He’d have her be.

Life here below is what we make it,
Be it ever great or small;
If we learn to love and treat Him,
‘Twould be heaven for us all.

As we journey up the pathway
Ever singing some glad song;
Sing for God and all who love Him,
Won’t that be a happy throng?

When we gather in the city,
Just beyond the crystal stream;
Trouble here will then be over,
Death will only be a dream.

So I’m ever looking upward
And I’m trusting day by day,
In my god, and yours Mrs. Watkins,
Throughout all eternity.

“Christmas Card”

December 1955

Isn’t it funny that folks will spend money
For things to be cast aside?
But such is the fate ’tis sad to relate
This greeting at Christmas time.
It comes today in a most friendly way
To convey my good wishes many.
Just throw it away the very next day.
The thing only cost three pennies.

“When We Get To Heaven”

1950s

When we get to heaven
What a wonder it will be
The things that we have longed for
The loved ones that we’ll see.

No hospital to visit,
No morgues we will need
From wheel chairs and crutches
Somehow we’ll be freed.

Flowers blooming forever
Songs fit for the King
Oh won’t that be heaven
For you and me to bring.

Reservations are in order
So send out the word
We will shout, “Hallelujah”
When we see the Lord.

“I’m Lonesome”

1940s

Oh the faces I see, don’t appeal to me
For it’s your face I long for each day.

And the hours seem long, as the day drags on
It’s so lonesome with you away.

I dream of your smile, and your eyes of blue
And I wonder if your heart is lonely too.

I miss you the whole day, the long night through
Oh, I’m lonesome, I guess that’s all.

Note: Era grew up a city girl in Greensboro. In the early 1930’s she and Fred moved the family to the Robinson homeplace in Cliffside. Fred worked in construction and was away from home all week long. This strange new world was difficult for a young mother at home alone with small children. She found her solace in playing the piano and teaching her children to sing in harmony. She also wrote poetry to express her feelings.

Daughter Mary Elizabeth: “This one, written in the 1940’s about her husband Fred, she put to music.”

“Jewels”

1967

My children are my Jewels, cherished tried and true,
No two are alike, but all are gems so priceless
money could not buy – death cannot destroy.
For God in all His glory sent each one to me, to have,
to hold, to pray for, through all times – eternity too.

The grandchildren no less precious
Chips of these precious stones
And the one little great grandbaby
Stands out so rare – a very precious stone.

So long as God gives me the precious right to live,
May He also give me courage
These Jewels to Kim give.

A true mother sees no flaws that love cannot correct
Diamonds – rubies, could not buy
You see God in his wlsdom knows
Whether days, months or years I have
Dear God, I love them so!

— Mama

Mary Elizabeth: “Mama wrote this poem and sent it to me on May 17th, and this shows in words her excellent way of expressing her feelings for her Jewels – her children.”

“To Papa”

About 1945

His heart is 18 karat gold, his soul is just as pure,
while his eyes are even heaven’s blue –
for that is his aim, I’m sure.

His trials have been many, his victories very few
But we shall have a big reward, where we
live our lives anew.

He means more than the world to me, a father, sweetheart and friend
I have not words to express, nor a token worthy to send.

Sometimes his road seems rough and steep
Not always as the rays of the sun
But he trusts in God, and believes, in the end
Though he fought a hard fight, the victory’s won.

Fifty long years have come and gone
Though to him, the time has fast flown
The time will soon come where he shall see
The harvest which he has sown.

I trust his years are many yet, his victories to be greater still,
That the road may be smooth, and his day of light full
And continue to do God’s will.

There’s not but one road, it is narrow but straight
He goes it with troubles and cares
They will all flee away at the break of someday
God’s blessings and goodness he’ll share.

Life will be only a dream, some sweet day
Death will be only a crisis to pass
When we come face to face with those that we love
Daylight there, forever to last.

These few words, tho’ simple and poor
To my Papa, I send them today
As a small token of love and deep gratitude
Which will be true for always.

Your devoted daughter,

— Era

Mary Elizabeth: “I found this poem in one of mama’s Bibles. The original is yellow with age and fragile. I hope she sent it to him – but the original is in her cedar chest.”