Coopers Mill

Written some years ago for a contest about suicide.

Cooper’s Mill,

Centreville Mississippi, June 3, 1964

 

 

I do not think that Johnny knew,

or may he ever know.

That he is still the only one

to whom love I could show.

 

If I had cared enough for him,

he never would have died.

And if he knew how much I cared,

to live he might have tried...

 

He lost the will to live they said,

and I had not told him…

On that sad night ten days ago,

when we went for a swim...

 

At Cooper’s Mill, with all the kids,

the death drop Johnny dived.

To show me he was brave enough…

to win my love he died.

 

‘cause just an hour before that,

I said “I don’t think so.”

When Johnny asked me to the prom,

I wanted so to go.

 

But hard to get I had to be,

and I just let him try.

‘cause kids don’t think about these things...

but I let Johnny die.

 

~

 

In black I’m walking down the road,

a mile from Cooper’s Mill.

The headlights of a truck I see,

It’s racing towards the hill.

 

The truck will reach the crest I know,

and not have time to see.

The two kids standing in its path…

one’s Johnny… and one’s me.

 

 

~

 

Centreville Gazette, June 4^th 1964 (page 2.)

 

Peggy Lou Davis was just 17 when she died in an unfortunate accident out on Highway 44 Thursday morning, June 4, near Cooper's Mill.  It is still not known why Ms. Davis was out walking on the highway at 12:45 AM.  She was wearing dark clothing and the driver of the truck that hit her was not charged with any wrongdoing.

 

Ms. Davis was an Honors Junior at the Field Memorial High School in Centreville, Mississippi.  She was a member of the girls debating team at school and the choir at the Community Baptist Church in Centreville. Peggy Lou also worked after school at Hardy’s Stationary store down on Main Street.  She had planned to study teaching after her graduation next year, her mother said sadly.  Funeral services for Ms. Davis will be held at Community Baptist at 11:00 AM Saturday June 14^th.

 

She is survived by her father, City Council member Thaddeus Davis, her mother Patricia and three brothers, Thaddeus Davis Jr. 21, William Davis 14 and Martin P. Davis 9.

 

It is most unfortunate that just two days before the Field Memorial Senior Prom this coming Friday night, another of Fields best students passed away yesterday as well.  John Parker Jr., the son of John Parker a Gulf fisherman also died at the Field Memorial Hospital Wednesday night from complications resulting from a swimming accident last Sunday night.

 

Johnny as he was fondly called by everyone was an only child and his mother Rebecca had also died a year ago.  He was to graduate this month and was to leave for a tour with the US Army in Viet Nam, in July. 

 

The details of Mr. Parker’s funeral were not known at the time of this printing.

 

It is not believed that there is any relationship to these two unfortunate deaths just two days before the Senior Prom. A hospital spokesperson said, however, after seeing Ms. Davis‘s body being brought in by the ambulance last night, she added  that she had seen Ms. Davis, possibly visiting someone, at the hospital earlier that same evening.

 

sa

 

 

Reviews

[Kanattas Atir Enomo]

wow, so this poem was based on something that actually happened? that is amazing and i think that this poem is really powerful. it conveys the message and had great imagery. really beautiful. the last two stanzas were, i thought, flawless.
although in my opinion it could have flowed better. it seems like you were trying too hard to rhyme so it seems rather forced.
the second line "or may he ever know" sounded awkward to me...as did a couple of others. i hope you don't mind my suggestion but here's how it could've been written differently:

I do not think that Johnny knew,

or that he'll ever know.

That he is still the only one

to whom love I could show.



If I had cared enough for him,

he never would have died.

And if he knew how much I cared,

to live, he might have tried...



He lost the will to live they said,

and I know I should have told him…

On that sad night ten days ago,

when we went for a swim...



At Cooper’s Mill, with all the kids,

the death drop Johnny dived.

To show me he was brave enough…

to win my love he died.



‘cause just an hour before that,

I said “I don’t think so.”

When Johnny asked me to the prom,

Although I wanted to go.



But hard to get I had to be,

and I just let him try.

‘cause kids don’t think about these things...

but I let Johnny die.



~



In black I’m walking down the road,

a mile from Cooper’s Mill.

The headlights of a truck I see,

It’s racing towards the hill.



The truck will reach the crest I know,

and not have time to see.

The two kids standing in its path…

one’s Johnny… and one’s me.

[An owl on the moon]

What a powerful, stunning write. One can feel the pain in the sadness of the tragic loss.. . and the ultimate step to remove the pain. Such a statement of life as we so often live in the moment.