The Catskill Chronicle

Shin Creek School, circa 1917-18 from the collection of The History of Livingston Manor, NY.

By Helena Clare Pittman

Silver light
A month past Solstice
Three hawks glinting.

Paws climbed my hill to the window
While I slept,
Company my cats keep.
Deer tracks in the plow bank.
I scramble over
Stand in the white wood.

Cake trim house
Icicle window shades
I trudge to and from the woodshed
Filling the sling
Cleats stretched over workman’s boots
The next snow coming.
The farmer said it will be June before the thaw.

Six shovels line the porch
Like the paintbrushes at my board.

They worked all at once today
When neighbors appeared
One with a bulldozer,

There and gone
Like the snow.

Be safe,
said in parting.

Silver light
A month past Solstice
Spring in winter’s depth.

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Photo captions – *This is probably the only copy of this photo in existence.  My father Howard Rose, who was born in 1907,  is the boy in short pants in the front, and the dark haired boy on the far left is Floyd Rose. The photo was taken around 1914 or 1915 in the school yard. I think this was called the Tray Valley School. The barn in the background was my grandfather Denny Rose’s and the house can be glimpsed just beyond, that’s how far my father had to walk to school. As I understand it the teachers usually boarded with my grandparents. There were no names on the photo. – Evelyn

**Update – Pearl Rose Shaver (Mrs. Fred) gave me this photo and named the pupils, she thought the year was 1917-18. Left to Right, Floyd Rose, Clair Gockel, Jay Burton, Howard Rose, Lena Burton, Volney Keator, Jessie Rose, Raymond Gockel, Tall girl in back row is Pearl Rose (Shaver). It was known as the Tray Valley School. Best Regards –  Irene