Book of poetry took prodding from wife, but it’s finally done

EVERETT — When Bennie Walthall left tiny Linden, Texas, at age 18, he had hoped to forever leave behind the segregated schools and the few opportunities to get ahead that blacks had there.

But, as Walthall, 66, will demonstrate during a poetry reading today in Marysville, rural east Texas will always remain a part of Walthall.

Many of the poems in his new collection, "Imaginary Lines," are infused with the vernacular and traditions of black east Texas culture, and his reflections on what he learned there.

"My desire was to escape the stigma that might have kept me from advancing educationally, socially and economically," Walthall said as he sat in his south Everett living room on a chair draped with a cloth from Ghana, Africa. "But I can never forget the negative influences that might have overcome me as an African American in east Texas."

Segregation often sapped the initiative of blacks, even those who had the drive to become successful, he said.

Walthall recalled how he visited Linden after a year at Prairie View A&M University and saw a friend lying under a tree.

"I said, ‘Milton, man, why are you sitting here in Linden?’ " Walthall said. " ‘Get out of this little town. Even if you don’t go to college, go to California or something.’ "

Walthall recalled that Milton’s response was, " ‘Well, Joe, it’s just as well that I be lying under a shade tree in Linden as lying under a shade tree in California.’ He had lost all motivation to go further."

That conversation and the circumstances surrounding it led Walthall to write "Sleeping Under the Cornbread Trees Until the Biscuit Bushes Bloom":

No matter how I try

Things just keep getting leaner

Like that grass on the other side of the fence

I know damn well it’s greener

I’ve been down for so long

The bottom looks like up

I’d love a sip of champagne

Even from a plastic cup

Well, I’m not going to fret about it

Or make my move too soon

I’ll keep napping under this cornbread tree

Until the biscuit bushes bloom

Not all of his poems are serious. Others are about how "marvelous" it is to be bald, the small battles between the neat and orderly Walthall and his clutter-loving wife, Shirley, and a phone call in which his daughter reminded him that it was his wedding anniversary.

Walthall has been entertaining people since he was in grade school, when he acted in a variety show. He worked most of his life as an urban planner, architectural designer and transportation official with the federal government, but he’s been writing poems on the side for years.

He decided several years ago to put his poems together in a book, but it took some prodding from Shirley Walthall to make it happen.

"When we had company over, people kept asking him to recite something, and everyone seemed to enjoy it," Shirley Walthall said. "I kept saying, ‘You need to put it down on paper.’ He finally did."

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

Tirhas Tesfatsion (GoFundMe) 20210727
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail

Jail staff reportedly committed 16 safety check violations before they found Tirhas Tesfatsion, 47, unresponsive in her cell.

A semi-truck rolled over blocking all traffic lanes Thursday morning on I-5 north just south of Arlington on Sept. 21, 2023. (Washington State Patrol)
Overturned trailer spills fish onto I-5 near Arlington, closing lanes

The crash blocked all lanes, forcing drivers going north during rush hour to use the left shoulder.

The Marysville Municipal Jail is pictured Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville weighs mandatory jail time for repeated ‘public disorder’

The “three strikes” proposal sets a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail for crimes like public drug use and trespassing.

Everett police on patrol heard gunshots near 26th Street and Lombard Avenue and closed off multiple roads as they investigated on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Everett Police Department)
3 teens arrested after gunfire in downtown Everett

No one was injured. Police heard gunfire in the area of 26th Street and Lombard Avenue.

It’s time to celebrate and say thanks

Local journalism — and community support — will be the stars of Behind the News Stories on Oct. 24 in Edmonds.

Most Read