This is a poem written by lifelong Tallahatchie county resident, Mary Alice French
Hyde in the late 1930s. She was born in 1867 and was the daughter of 
William French, Civil War vet buried in Henson Cemetary. She was the
widow of Charles Wesley Hyde (son of Eaton Davenport Hyde) who was a
farmer and part-time preacher at Stonefield Pentecostal Church and also
at the Sumner church. The homestead she mentions in her poem was in
Cascilla just up the road from the Stonefield church. She and her
husband had seven children (Raymond, Cecil Orland, Charles Aubrey,
Kimbrough, Lois, Mary and sweet Naomi) in addition to her sons from
previous marriages, Clarence Stevens and Clyde Parker. Mrs. M.A. Hyde
was known as a wonderful cook, especially for her delicious egg custard
pies. She also had a love of reading and spent much time perusing books
and news articles. She died in 1941.


MEMORIES OF HOME
By M.A Hyde  (MARY ALICE FRENCH HYDE) 
   of Cascilla, Mississippi


Some days at the glow of sunset
When it fades in the western sky,
I think of my little ones playing,
As the happy days went by.

I remember a loving husband,
As he sat in his easy chair,
While I watched from out open doorway,
Little faces so rosy and fair.

Alone on our dear old homestead
That once was full of life,
Ringing with girlish laugher,
Echoing boyish strife…

We two were then together;
But now when the shadow come,
With tremulous voice I try to sing,
But it’s night, and the children are gone.

I turn me again to my bedroom,
So quiet and still in there;
I try to picture each little bowed head, 
As they knelt in their evening prayer.

But, they have flown like the birdies,
The old nest, it could not keep,
And I am left with sweet memories,
As my tear-dimmed eyes  closed in sleep.


(Copyrighted material.  Permission granted to USGENWEB  to post on Tallahatchie County, Mississippi page by Hyde family, July 28, 2000)