Willis+Stearles

Willis Stearles By: Aaron Tuttle If I could relive my 66 years on this Earth, I would do it no other way. I served as a soldier, janitor, and zookeeper.

I spent time in the trenches. It wasn’t a good time, but I can think of no way That I’d rather serve my country.

I met Kathryn, my wife, While working as a janitor. We didn’t have children, But sheltered several black ISNU students, Which kept Kathryn and me happy.

But I was most happy When I worked at the zoo. I didn’t know much about animals, But I’m a quick learner. I had a grand time, Working with Charlie Poll. After he retired, I became head zookeeper. It was an honor.

Enjoy your life, because, When it’s over, You’ll miss it.

Willis Stearles By Elora Karim My brothers and I were proud of our country, So it was no surprise when we joined the army. Training across the country, In Illinois, Virginia, Texas-

My, was Texas rough.

The riots of racism, Killing so many of my comrades, Killed so many Americans. Horrid.

I shudder to think of it.

But we survived, France welcoming us with open arms. We raged across the continent; Us ‘Black Devils’ were feared. And what mattered most?

We made a difference.

Coming back to honors and celebration, And ready for a settled life. The zoo welcomed me with open arms, As did the workers there.

It was peaceful.

But working with the Miller Park Zoo Became a war of its own. After working for so long, They had the //nerve// to //fire// me.

It made sense the animals revolted.

But in the end, I returned. And life was back to normal. It was complete.

Enough to make any man proud.

** Willis Stearles ** By: Emma Blyth   Hey there fellas, You too ladies, Eat up, eat up. I'm back for you all, you stubborn lot.   Don't you think I forgot about you, I sat there at home revisiting my memories, Yes, yes you were there too.  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">I thought of my father, dear friends, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The way he fought, just as I,  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Among the booming cannons, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Echoing rifles, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Blacks and whites united. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">I thought of the honor, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">the way the French treated me as their equal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The way I felt seen, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Truly seen for who I am. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Not just my skin. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">I thought of you my animal friends, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The way you see me, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Not as a black man, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">But as a man. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">I thought of my children. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">No, I know Kathryn and I produced none. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">But of the university students, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Black and white, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Whom I coincided with and grew to love as my children. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, I am indeed a lucky man. <span style="height: 106.7pt; left: 0px; margin-left: -43.85pt; margin-top: 5.85pt; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: absolute; mso-position-vertical-relative: text; mso-position-vertical: absolute; mso-wrap-distance-left: 9pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 9pt; mso-wrap-style: square; position: absolute; text-align: left; visibility: visible; width: 139.8pt; z-index: 1;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">But enough about me. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Eat up, eat. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">And remember what my dear friends what Mr. Poll said, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">"What good is a zoo without animals?"