mr Her verse HHas Been Seen In Some of the Very Best Places

by Shlrlianne Gunther BURLEIGH - If Cape May County had a poet laureate, Viney Endicott would be her name. Endicott, 69, has been writing poetry (she calls it verse) for most her life, and her witty, sensitive style prose has been printed on the pages of some of the greatest publications ever known. Her poetry has appeared in the New York Times, Saturday Evening Post, Boston Globe, Colliers, Farm Journal, Wall Street Journal and other prestigious newspapers and magazines. Numerous quarterly and literacy magazines and countless other periodicals have featured her work. She has been published across the U.S. and in England. BUT ENDICOTT SAlb that years ago things were a lot easier for poets. “In those days they were really publishing poetry," she said. “The Washington Evening Star published many of mine, but they don’t publish poetry anymore, Maybe it’s because of me,” she said laughing. Endicott got out her scrapbook and books of “verse." Her work encompassed almost every aspect of life. As a kee'n observer, she was able to record, with insight, the beauty and richness of man and nature. Her verse wasn't limited and at times, had a childlike depth of innocence dnd humor.

ENDICOTT’S CLEAR, simple observations of life began early. “I guess I was in the sixth grade -tn Cape May Court House when I, started writing poetry for the Old Gazette. “I could never tell you what actually started me writing. I always loved English,” she added. Endicott said much of her encouragement came from Burton J. Smith, editor of the Gazette at that time. "He was a man — a wonderful editor. When he saw my poetry he said, T know darn well you have enough poems that will even make the Saturday Evening Post.’ "I thought he was out of his mind, but because of his inspiration and faith in me, I got publish:d.” That was under her maiden lame, Viney Haney.

XRT CLASS These were beginners, each had come to seek Expression in a world outside her own Exciting world of color and technique of light and shadow, symmetry and tone. The table held a cabbage, leafy green Whose inmost edges sparkled still with dew Some looked askance on such a common scene And thought of Still life the.v would like to do. i Still others penciled outlines hurriedly More eager for the color tube and brush Then mixing paints they worked determinedl> And with the quiet cathedral hush

MARINE CIRCUS The starfish wings arm over arm On slender grass trapeze With expert skill and graceful charm Beneath the seven seas The hermit crab is quite a clown He wears a seaweed cap And turns himself most upside down While big green lobsters clap The graceful seahorse prances by The shells are on parade An ancient turtle winks his eye To see the fish arrayed In dainty rows on ocean’s floor As all the fun begins They roll their eyes and shout for more And wave their fanlike fins The fiddler crabs and drum fish beat A lively marching tune While minnows scramble for a seat ON CIRCUS AFTERNOON!

Shirlianne Gunther is a freelance writer, and no slouch herself when it comes to writing poetry.

V n N . l ^ END « l f OT I’ here at her dw,k * ma >' J 11 ** lhe mml widely published writers in all of Cape May County. And when it comes to her poetry, some of the besCreari periodicals in America and beyond have been her media.

But only one saw cabbage as a rose Because she’d taught her heart'to unders-

tand

That in each common thing some beauty glows That loveliness is always near at hand And on her finished canvas one could feel The roughened outer leaves, the inner core The cool, sweet drops of dew were all but

real

Because of her heart had looked for something more. YEARS LATER A Mr. Warp saw one of Endicott’s poems and re-published it without her name or permission. At that time she was writing under Wilder, her first husband's name. “My husband saw the poem and knew it was mine. I wrote and told Mr.Warp that I was the author of that ‘anonymous’ poem.” The association with Warp continued and the pjietess ended up

writing for Warp’s books of poetry. It was along and fruitful friendship and gave Endicott an outlet for many of her thought-

provoking poems.

“IN THOSE DAYS THE Solar day Evening Post was paying $5 a

line, sometimes’$8,” she said.

Today poets are lucky to haOe their work published, and' ANY

payment is appreciated.

“Women’s liberation did nothing for me. I sold ten times more poetry before Women’s Lib than I’ve sold in the last five

years,” the poetess said.

Endicott said she sold "like mad” and when her work,was rejected there were always dozens of books and literacy magazines where writers could send

material. , • •

In addition’ to verse. Endicott wrote monlogues for a drama group that performed in Cape May County and Millville. Sne also wrote a play, and greeting cani,versus for Charmcraft in N.Y. ahd a company in California. " ,1 DON’T THINK THERE’S much I haven’t written about.. If you’ve got talent, it will come out — you just need blood, sweat and tears. Taleqt and inspiration —

God alone can give you that.”

Endicott said although she has many friends, she still considers herself a loner. I don’t join any poetry groups, I don’t have time,”

she said.

"I like people, but I don’t want people overwhelming me.” Tne poetess has had her share of rejection slips, but she didn’t let it get her down. ‘T’ve realized for many years that life is transient. It will end in the twinkling of an eye. Why be

jealous?”

“I like old-type lyrical verse.

Today they want far out poetry. They want to guess what they’re talking about. They want to be safe like a turtle who only puts out

his head at certain times. Endicott said in this generation

unless the poetry is "nuts,” it’s not poetry. “A lot of it is junk,”

she said.

Her favorite writers are Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sara Teesdale, and Somerset Maughan. “When we went to school you got decent poetry to read," she said. “Somebody once said to me that I should get all my poetry together and print a book. When I have to do that for myself. I II quit,” she said.

-i'-s yy ■—** Wi. J , ■

' M*

Endicott said her late husband. Freeman, also gave her a great deal of encouragement. ‘.’When I had poetry published in England he went off his rocker. He (old everyone,” she said smiling “You can’t help but love someone who loves you like that.” The poetess picked up some of her work, "I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing, even if I never sell another poem ”

/ WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN I wonder wljat would happen If Good people everywhere Would give themselves a chance to think On what they have to share Instead of emphasizing all That keeps them worlds apart They might begin to understand And some worthwhile start Relieving economic stress, Correcting social wrong. Through mutual faith and friendship That would make each^jatlon strong. Through seeking spiritual wisdom That would give men’s minds new birth We wouldn't have to wonder if * There would be peace on earth! Viney. Haney Wilder Endicott, poet extraordinary.

• AND TODAY YOU CAN’T just write, you have to be everything. People are more interested in materialistic things than poetry.” “Someday, in the end everything will right itself.” Endicott looked at a beautiful antique doll resting in a chair. "That’s little Maria Theresa named after Marie Antoinette’s mother. I like cats too,” she said grinning.

CAPE MAY COUNTY MAGAZINE 3