Psyche’s Poems
As communicated by the Walter Personality to Margery the Medium
Published in a private pamphlet circa 1930’s – out of print
________
1925, February 21
Sung by the Walter personality to the tune of “It Aint Gonna Rain No More” during a séance held Feb 21, 1925. Reprinted in “The Secret Life of Houdini,” p 450.
Oh, Houdini won’t talk no more, no more
He aint goin’ talk no more.
What in the hell will the newspapers do,
When Houdini won’t talk no more?
Houdini won’t write no more, no more,
Houdini won’t write no more.
He writ so much that his arm got sore,
Houdini won’t write no more.
1925, March 26
Found in Margery Scrapbook No.4 page 83 with reference given to March 26, 1925, as the date that Walter communicated through Margery, and published in a journal (possibly “Banner of Light”). Referenced again on page 84 in Memoriam Pamphlet for John Anthony Remick 1833-1925 on March 28, 1925, by LRG (Remick was LRG’s uncle). In addition to his speech LRG quotes this poem and says it was conveyed on March 26, 1925. Found again in Margery Scrapbook No.5 and confirmed “Banner of Light” on 13 June 1925. First stanza adopted as a stamp and used by the Crandon’s as an inscription when gifting a book.
Voyager
There is a plan far greater than the plan you know;
There is a landscape broader than the one you see.
There is a haven where storm–tossed souls may go –
You call it death – we, immortality.
You call it death – this seemingly endless sleep;
We call it birth – the soul at last set free.
‘Tis hampered not by time or space – you weep.
Why weep at death? ‘Tis immortality.
Farewell, dear Voyageur – ’twill not be long.
Your work is done – now may peace rest with thee.
Your kindly thoughts and deeds – they will live on.
This is not death – ’tis immortality.
Farewell, dear voyageur – the river winds and turns;
The cadence of your song wafts near to me,
And now you know the thing that all men learn:
There is no death – there’s immortality.
1928, April 7
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19 with reference to Walter as author, as communicated to Margery in less than five minutes on April 7, 1928. The repeat use of the word “singularity” is a humorous reference by Walter to an article by Malcolm Bird in the March 1928 issue of the A.S.P.R journal, “Singularity of the Ether.” There is no title.
Simply singularity suggesting Stinson.
Scintillating scientists supply suggestions,
Stimulating sterile startling superlatives,
Sending supernormal scandal scampering.
Sapid, saphead, sapless, sapper Stinson
Scathing singularity scatters, sending
Sudden sagacious scientists simpering.
Singular sialid saw saving sitting salvation.
Stinson saw secret singularity secluded.
Scientist satiated – Psyche still sitting.
Sinful, soulful, saintly, seeing Stinson
Surprises supposing seeking scientists,
Sending sialid shouting.
Sudden singularity slightly slipping,
Sees Psyche still sitting.
Singularity Stinson silently surveys superannuated scientists.
1929, September 14
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19 with reference to Walter as author, as communicated to Margery in sitting on Sept 14, 1929, with Dr H. A. Overstreet, professor of philosophy at the College of the City of New York. The poem is in response to a dare by Overstreet to produce another alliterative poem with a letter other than “s.”
Overstreet’s Ode
Overstreet’s objective obvious.
Occlude obstructions occult,
Observe obsolete occurrences
Once objections obfuscate,
Obtain operations oracular,
Optime optimistic.
Option – oppression or organization.
Oily, odiferous, offensive offspring
Often ogle omnifarious, ology.
Obtain ontogeny,
Occult, ontological.
Overstreet optimistic, opportune, open-minded.
Opposition oppressed.
Opilate opinionated.
Opiate objectors on Occult, orders Overstreet.
Objectors ossified, overcome, ousted.
Orthodoxy oscillates,
Overstreet originates,
Occult officiates,
Opposition overrated, outward bound,
Which the souls pass to Hades.
Erist (sp?) apple of discord
Overweighted, obdurate.
Overstreet obliterates opponents,
Opponents’ obituary: octosyllabic!
1929, potentially in September
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. Printed in Banner along with “Symphony in S” in 1929.
Elsie’s Epistle
Earnest, effulgent, eager Elsie
Elicits elucidation Elysium.
“Energy explains everything” expostulate Espirit,
Energizing embodies, enshrines, ensouls, ennobles, enlivens, envelopes:
Entity explains.
“Entire Enigma” echoes Elsie.
“Entertainment Enormity” explains Espirit.
Energy Ethereal, else efficacious effigy Eblis.
“Ergometer essential,” entreats Elsie.
“Espirits enacts energetics” – enhances Elsie.
Errant Eros, Episcopalian eccentric enters Erebus,
Enemy entrapped, eradicated, eschewed.
Ethics ends Equivocations.
Elsie evaluates Espirit-evasive.
Espirit excavates, exasperates, evacuates, enables Elsie enjoyable evening.
Energy exhausted – Enemies epitaph:
Epigrams: Eris.
1929, September 12
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. Printed in “Banner of Light” along with “Elsie’s Epistle.” Refers to a series of Margery’s sittings attended by Dr. F.C.S. Schiller, Professor of Philosophy at Oxford in the week of September 7, 1929. Margery wrote the above poem automatically on Sept 12, 1929.
Symphony in S
Sagacious Schiller sitting silently
Shows sulky scientists several
Succulent psychic structures.
Strong strings and straps secure Psychic.
Strange stirrings, strenuous,
Salacious salaams, saintly scientists’
Sittings, scholastic. “Savor of science,”
Says Schiller.
“Savor! Saturated of science,”
Says Stinson.
Sitters, scatterbrained and scathing, scatter.
Scenic psychic structures scend.
Schiller says, “Stinson Schillerize.”
Stinson says, “Schillerization successful.”
Stinson says Schiller sits solus sometimes.
Psychics sluggish. “Such sittings sabotage,”
Says Stinson.
“Solitary sitting solution,” says Schiller.
So Schiller sits solus, sitters sojourn.
Snorting, snoring, psychic snottered.
Stinson somniferous sponsors spooks.
Schiller splendid, solicitous, successful.
Sittings synoptic, synergetic, synesis.
“Segregate,” says Schiller.
“Syncopate” stays Stinson.
“Sextuplex,” says Sarah,
“Saturate,” says Psyche.
Silently, segregated, syncopated,
Saturated, serenely Schiller sits.
1929, October 1
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. Transmitted by Walter Stinson, Control of Margery, on Oct 1, 1929. Printed in Banner of Light.
The Curve in the Road
The way has been made more clear to us,
It isn’t clear to you –
For we’re just a wee bit ahead on the road
And the curve cuts off your view.
Each day give some help to your fellow man,
Life gives you a chance to serve,
In that way you become part of the plan
With a glimpse of the road ‘round the curve.
And he would chiefest among you all
The server who carries the load,
For he sees in his heart from the very start
The view ‘round the curve in the road.
And we think that this knowledge will help you on,
Will help you to carry your load,
To know in your heart from the very start
There’s a view ‘round the curve in the road.
1929, October 1
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19 and communicated by Walter to Margery.
Death
I stand intent, Let the stars fade and a morning come to a new world,
A world that knows that knows its love of power and thought.
A world that with the fading of the stars hath brought
New knowledge from the Master of us all.
There is no death – we know. No longer shall we be concerned:
The Master gives us sleep that we may rest –
Poor, tired seekers following our quest.
All is made clear. The waking wrapt in peace.
No longer shall we be concerned with laws
But each in harmony with all shall blend,
And, looking straight ahead, we see no end.
The day is breaking: dawn without a cloud.
1930, February 17
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. Communicated by Walter to Margery on Feb 17 in response to Dr Woolley’s article against the Margery Mediumship in the S.P.R February Proceedings. Printed in the Banner of Life on April 5, 1930. Reprinted in Tietze (p151).
To S.P.R
Goodbye to ye – we bid you all farewell,
The clarion calls – the Ghosts in haste depart.
We will no longer bide within your walls,
We’ll view you from afar, – Ye S.P.R.
Goodbye and may ye one another keep,
Ye everlasting Hopes and Woolley sheep
Ye Salters, Balfours, Browns ye one and all
May be the Hosts, within your sitting Hall.
But not us Ghosts – We’ll view ye from afar, – Ye S.P.R.
Goodbye to ye, and may ye never find
Things to convince ye, lest ye lose your mind.
T’would be a shame for one to know one’s Hosts,
Within a sitting hall, were knowing Ghosts.
Go close your doors – Look for the lost star, – Ye S.P.R. L’envoi
The doors are closed- the rooms are cold – the women tattle,
Me thinks we hear the bones of members rattle –
Ah! We’ve been wrong – They are the dead: these hosts,
We are the living: the really truly Ghosts.
How well we found it out. We’ll view it from afar – the S.P.R.
1931, March 6
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. By Walter Stewart Stinson as communicated to Margery in response to a paper by Dr V.J. Woolley concerning Margery’s sittings at the London S.P.R. in 1929.
Walter to Woolley
Oh, Woolley, ‘tis a tragedy I find
Your little volume very hard to read
For one would have to look between the lines
And then discerning eyesight each would need.
For Woolley, you surely are just plain dumb!
If I were so much I’d keep it mum.
Oh, Woolley, why all the good points leave out?
If you are really sporting, put them in.
Why tell them all the things that you can flout?
And let the best things go – that is a sin.
Indeed I find your facts quite elusive
For one who says his writings are conclusive.
Now Woolley in our sitting at the last –
The séance done – the fingerprints all made –
Would you suggest the Psychic eats the casts?
She’ll ruin your digestion I’m afraid.
My good Sir, you just lash yourself and try it
You’ll find a couple of them a darn poor diet.
If I were you I’d leave things as they are –
The Devil – mediums – and ghosts like me.
I’d go hitch my wagon to a star,
I’d watch my own reflection in the sea.
And if it moved I’d know it was a fraud
And I would have things changed – by you and God.
1931, March 25
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19 with reference to W.S.S. as author, as communicated to Margery in seven and a half minutes. The poem refers to sittings held by Margery with Dr. Woolley at the S.P.R. in London on Dec 6, 7, and 8 in 1929
Button versus Woolley
Barrister Button, back Bermuda,
Bawls bally British bamboozler.
Being biased by blight,
Bemeans blunders, blusters, blurts.
Button bored but believing,
Brings best bombproof bombardment.
British bandy banalities.
Button’s balanced bold belief boomerang.
Belligerent British, bellow, belch.
Bulldog Button brings brilliant broadside.
British brood, blither bally bunk.
Button, brightly buoyant, brings brief.
British buzz, brew, bridle.
Button’s brief bridges British brethren.
British burlesque Button.
Button breaks down British breastwork.
Brands British brash, brainless.
British brag, bray, brawl –
Bounders, bound by boss British.
Born brainless, borrow brains, begs Button.
British badger, blow, blemish.
Button blissfully blooms.
Bleed, blister, blazes Button.
British blindness blatant,
Blatherskites, blameful, blanket blankness.
Button, bizarre, bonds British by Billet.
British bigots, bewildered, babble.
Button, benign, bides beyond, bewray
Behold behavior, because beholding brings balm.
Born brainless – blameless – !!
1931, April 14.
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19 and No. 20. Original is a typewritten document pasted next to the obituary of Margery’s mother, who died on 7 May 1931.
Boxes
I’ll singe a little song tonight,
A song from a box that’s closed.
For the scientists have locked it tight:
They are out to do and know.
But ye can’t shut a Ghost in a box for long:
I’m sure to be raisin’ me voice in song.
Soon ye’ll all be in a box that’s closed,
In a box that’s six feet long.
Not will ye be talkin’ in that box
Nor raising yer voice in song.
But ye’ll be callin’ for help from me
And I’ll be laughin’ at ye in glee.
For life is full of boxes that’s closed
And death follows right along.
The only difference that I can see
Is: you sing in your box when you’re gone.
So you might as well start to sing right now –
Drop in on the Ghosts and they’ll show you how.
1931, May 7
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19. A typewritten copy is pasted in the scrapbook with the note – “WSS May 7 1931 at 8:35 am.” Was also printed in Banner of Life twice, a second time on July 10, 1931. Originally titled “To My Mother” and later titled “Release.”
To My Mother
Her sunset’s gone – it sparkled – died away
The last sail furled for her, within your view
Your vigil done – you would not bid her stay –
Rejoice with her, for all these things she knew.
Her quickened spirit has now found release
The bars, that bound and held her in pain,
Have vanished as the shadows on the dunes –
And she knows release.
Lest ye forget – remember her brave smile
As all her shore lights flickered one by one,
And, as dusk deepened with the ebbing tide.
You would not call her back – she has gone on.
All this we tell to you, who have to stay –
Until the coming of another tide.
You’ll see the passing of another day –
Her life just begun – the day she died,
Blinded by wisdom – query finds you dumb.
The time is fleeting for you all, my friends –
So live your life that, when the challenge comes,
T’will find you smiling till the very end.
1931, May 7
Found in Margery Scrapbook No. 19, by Walter as communicated through Margery on the occasion of the death of their mother, Jemima Stinson, on May 7, 1931. Reprinted in Tietze, p 152.
In Majesty Death Comes
In majesty death comes:
He walks alone,
Comes here as your friend.
Why weep? You’d have it so.
He knows you know ‘tis not the end.
As with a perfect day:
The sun has set.
With gracious hand he gives you perfect peace.
They answer his great call:
They find release.
Ah! Majesty, we worship at thy throne.
Thy will be done: the power,
We do believe.
God give us strength
To know and feel and not to grieve.
1931, June 20
Found in Margery Scrapbook No.19. Communicated by Walter through Margery in response to being studied by two physicists, Mr. B.K. Thorogood and Professor Adams. The alliteration in the poem builds upon the 1st letter of each of their names.
An Alliterative Alternation
Tactful Thorogood tries testing talent.
Adjutant Adams ably assists,
Thorogood, tacit, talented, takes time,
Agrees achievement: accomplished acquisition.
Testing: tangly, terribly tardigrade.
Adams, adaptable, acquiescing acts accordingly.
Teacher Thorogood thoroughly tackles tasks.
Ally Adams, attitude almost altruistic,
Thorogood thinks telegraphone teleology,
Adams, achieving adventure, acts as actinograph.
Temperament tenacious, Thorogood’s tendeney,
Agrees almost anything alterable.
They then try taking thaumaturgic theories,
All ask adequate acquaintance astrophysics.
Thorogood throws their theisms thenee.
Altogether admirable Adams, ambidextrous, alone aids alternator.
This theurgy-thickening, Thorogood thinks,
Adams aims at aggregation also afterwards affirms,
Thorogood thinks thumbprint thriller, thoroughly tried.
Action almost always able accrue accurate accumulation.
Therefore thousand tests together thoroughly tried, tells Thorogood.
Absolutely allays almost anyone against able aspect.
Thereafter their theories turn thin, thoughtless, threadbare,
Afterthought, afterwards, abomination. Adams assuasive always already,
Thorogood thermographs, telegraphs. Throaty telephones thrust themselves – thwart.
Adams assiduous, assays assertive assistance. Assemblage assessor assents.
Thorogood truthfully tells tribunal triumphant!
Assistant Adams, adjunct authority, always assuring.
Taking time testing. Testers tell ticklish tales.
Acute Adonis Adams already asleep.
Tally tells Thorogood try testing telegraphone.
Tarry table-tilting till tasimeter tangible.
Adams awakens, arouses all, adjusts affairs. All adjourn, amble asylum!
All Adieu!
No date but likely 1931
Found in Margery Scrapbook No.19. Communicated by Walter through Margery and relates to the state of mind of two mediums, Margery and Sary, with regard to being studied by scientists.
A Tale of Two Psychics
Medium Margery manipulates marvelous magic.
Saltant Sary sagely scintillating situation,
Margery, meantime, makes many manipulations.
Sary, sanguine, sense same – satisfied.
Margery marvels mentality men’s minds.
Sary, scornful, says: senility, seemingly,
Maybe maltreating males makes malleable – muses Margery.
Sary, sarcastic, suggests saccharine saleable.
Medieval Margery meditates, mediates magnetic magneto –
Scholastic Sary seeks, soothes searching scientists.
Margery meticulously maintains manifestations massive.
Satisfy saps, says Sary, sardonically.
Margery, master worker, maturely maximizes manifestations.
Sary, still scornful, says: scientists scatterbrained.
Soothsaying Sary says: searching physics satisfactory.
Margery’s manner mankind, magnanimous.
Saering Sary sincere, saintly, salubrious.
Malicent Margery moves magnetometer majestically,
Making males much manufacture.
Sagacious Sary says: sack scientists, suspicious,
Survey sometimes sad, save savorless situation.
Margery’s metapsychic managers’ moves make mediums mum.
Scalawags, sats Sary, see silhouettes scamper,
Scandalize, scare scaly scientists, skeptical sitters scatter.
Make metaphysicians metamorphosis. Meter much mild mien, Margery.
Mildness makes magnificent mainstay.
Sensitive Sary scribbles serious scripture.
Seven stodgy scientists severely settle script, saying:
Much mediocre, much meandrous, meanings mazy.
Meantime, melancholy Margery mixes menus, mouthpieces, messages, megaphones.
Sary, seeing something silly, snickers, snorts.
Many miscreants misconstrue mirth, misjudge, misdeem mediums.
Mould, modulate modesty; momentous.
Scientists scan scope; seraph Sary sedate,
Somewhat sententious, sensing success, score.
Margery, mutinous, mutilates many mouthpieces – must muzzle, muse
Many maybe mundane, must be muscle!
Margery, mordacious, mad!
Sary skillfully soothes savage soul, saying: stand staunch, Psyche –
Such submission shows sucker; situation solid – sublime – superb.
Margery melts –
Sary suave.
Scientists state sophomoric, Psychics simmer, still strong!
…Melancholy Margery mixes menus, mouthpieces, messages, megaphones…
Many miscreants misconstrue mirth, misjudge, misdeem mediums.