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Flights from the Lowlands
An extraordinary woman’s early writings capture both the stirrings of her individual spirit and her distinct observations of early 20th century America – its legacies and struggles. “Flights from the Lowlands” was first published by Florence Rose’s son, Ward, for an Okmulgee [Oklahoma] High School printing project in 1935. Two daughters, Irva Rose Montijo and Nadine Rose Frary Kimball edited and published “Flights from the Lowlands” again in 1982, and her eldest granddaughter, Edi Montijo Chapman has edited this third edition. These early poems are for readers to devour or browse as they wish. Florence Rose would be delighted to know her words are finding new minds to stir. Poems in this collection feature local and international topics of the day; of the survival struggles in the Depression; of relationships; of heroes; of the angst of writing, and many celebrate the joy of life and beauties of nature. Flight itself was a very contemporary enterprise, intriguing the author, even before she took her first flight. Ancient Greek heroes, American Revolutionaries, post-Civil War contemporaries and family all inspired Florence’s writing.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1935
45 people want to read
About the author
Florence Morris Rose
1 book1 followerFlorence Morris Rose wrote for publication since the early nineteen-twenties, in addition to making a home for her husband, Willie, four sons and four daughters. Her early education was in northern Arkansas at Yellville and at Big Flat. She attended Teachers’ Institute at Big Flat and taught school for two years in a country school before marrying a young farmer when they were both only nineteen years old.
In 1915 a flood washed away their farm crop, and they moved with their daughter and son, ages three and one, to Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, becoming tenant farmers. Willie Rose found work in the nearby oil fields, but later, through the Depression era he had difficulty making enough money when he did work. However, there was always music in the home, and everyone who could read took advantage of the books available in the Okmulgee Public Library.
Florence was often ill while the eight children were young. Confined to her bed, she wrote verses to entertain them. She also expressed thoughts about current happenings and civic problems, sending her ideas, sometimes in prose, sometimes in poetry, to the local newspapers. All of those she sent were published, but she did not receive any remuneration for them; nor did she expect any.
When the Works Progress Administration offered classes in dramatic production and literature during the Depression, Florence and the younger children attended regularly. Her scores on vocabulary tests were very high. She was encouraged to send her poems to the Tulsa and Oklahoma City newspapers and to several magazines. Quite a few of her poems were published, but she was not usually paid unless she entered a contest and was lucky enough to win a prize. The few dollars she won really helped when times were hard.
In 1949-50, Florence took a correspondence course from the Bozenkill School of Creative Writing, with Clement Wood as instructor in poetry. Mr. Wood gave her a great deal of encouragement and praised some of her work very highly.
Her family has continued to share her words and music with succeeding generations. They are a legacy to treasure, with insights and counsel and entertainment still valuable today.
In 1915 a flood washed away their farm crop, and they moved with their daughter and son, ages three and one, to Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, becoming tenant farmers. Willie Rose found work in the nearby oil fields, but later, through the Depression era he had difficulty making enough money when he did work. However, there was always music in the home, and everyone who could read took advantage of the books available in the Okmulgee Public Library.
Florence was often ill while the eight children were young. Confined to her bed, she wrote verses to entertain them. She also expressed thoughts about current happenings and civic problems, sending her ideas, sometimes in prose, sometimes in poetry, to the local newspapers. All of those she sent were published, but she did not receive any remuneration for them; nor did she expect any.
When the Works Progress Administration offered classes in dramatic production and literature during the Depression, Florence and the younger children attended regularly. Her scores on vocabulary tests were very high. She was encouraged to send her poems to the Tulsa and Oklahoma City newspapers and to several magazines. Quite a few of her poems were published, but she was not usually paid unless she entered a contest and was lucky enough to win a prize. The few dollars she won really helped when times were hard.
In 1949-50, Florence took a correspondence course from the Bozenkill School of Creative Writing, with Clement Wood as instructor in poetry. Mr. Wood gave her a great deal of encouragement and praised some of her work very highly.
Her family has continued to share her words and music with succeeding generations. They are a legacy to treasure, with insights and counsel and entertainment still valuable today.
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October 30, 2012
I really enjoyed reading these poems. Some made me laugh and some brought a tear to my eyes.
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