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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Beard, Elmer

Let Reason Roll / by Elmer Beard

Cover photographer: Gary Meeks
Editor: Sonya Beard

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020911713

ISBN 978-1-7352975-0-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-7352975-1-4 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-7352975-2-1 (e-book)

Registration has been applied for at the United States Copyright Office.

Published in the United States of America

Freedom’s Price Publishing
P.O. Box 1105
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902
freedomsprice1863@gmail.com

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In a line of poetry, verse or stanza, the author cracks open the door to his soul, and his spirit is embodied in a rhythmic prose. The reader is given a precious glance into a collection of the author’s innermost thoughts, while a drum beats silently in the background. Without life’s challenges, as many as there were, these poems could not have been written. It’s crucial that we recall on and document the extraordinary times in which we consistently find ourselves. Otherwise, our stories will be buried with us.

The church makes many appearances on these pages. Religion, Christianity and the church are sometimes interchangeable terms in Black southern culture. Our faith has always been a source of strength. That same guiding light that led our forebearers out of bondage is the same guiding light that leads us today. Some poems reflect sermons from local pastors over the years that proved inspirational. God and his Son are ever-present in my life and throughout this book.

I acknowledge the pervasive presence of racism; for it is my lifelong opposition with this evildoer that has encrusted my heart with diamonds instead of coal. While this evil has burdened my life and my community, it has allowed us to rise above generations of oppressive circumstances. It has taught us forgiveness in the absence of apologies, restraint under continuous aggression and humanity in a society that shows us little in return. Our tribulations only make us stronger, and that always makes for great storytelling.

I owe my sincerest gratitude to my wife of 40 years, the late Dorothy Beard, for making me a great husband. We have three children who challenged me to be the best father I could possibly be. I’d also like to thank my second wife, the late Wilhemina Beard, and her children for welcoming me into their family.

I’m thankful for the congregants at the Roanoke Baptist Church for being my spiritual family, my colleagues on the deacon board for keeping me in prayer and Pastor Leon Massey for spreading the Good News.

The NAACP and our local unit #6013 have been resourceful for my activism. I pay tribute to my fellow city councilman, the late Kenneth Adair, who told our stories as a soldier of the Black press. I acknowledge my mentor, the late Rev. James Donald Rice, who made a ministry out of fighting for civil rights. I thank Rev. Reginald Hampton, whose works of poetry inspired me to explore the poetic landscape.

I want to tell my friend, the late police Capt. Willie McCoy, who was waiting for this book to be published that it finally is. Dr. Janice McCoy motivated me to turn this dream into a reality. Professor Joan Henry urged me to complete this project.

I honor the late Bud Kenny for giving me a spotlight at his Wednesday Night Poetry, the longest open-mic poetry in the country. I applaud the poet-in-chief Kai Coggin for continuing that tradition both on stage and online.

Evelyn O’Kelly filled in some historical gaps about my adopted hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin. Cheryl Batts encouraged me during various stages of this poetic work. Darla Thurber recognized my talent and invited me to National Park College to share my poems.