2011 Golden Pen Award
In Memoriam
Augusta K. Black
(1919--2011)

Augusta K. Black was a Missouri native. Born July 23, 1919 in Pulaski County, she won the 2009 Missouri Senior Poet Laureate Award at age 90. “Gussie” accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and united with Fairview Baptist Church. She later transferred her membership to the First Baptist Church of Swedeborg, where she recently joked that she had served in every position in the church but pastor (to which her son added that she did plenty of preaching at home). At the time of her death on June 17, 2011, Gussie was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Richland. She loved the Lord . . . She also loved to write, leaving a legacy of poetry and other writings for her five children and their families. Here is her poem which won the 2009 Missouri Senior Poet Laureate award:


GOOD MORNING, DOLL

When she came into the kitchen,
She would always find him up.
Reading the morning paper, he'd say,
"Good morning, doll. I poured your cup."

It was good to see him sitting there,
In their cozy kitchen bright.
But she wondered why he had to speak
When she had been with him all night.

It wasn't easy to begin a new day,
Just getting out of bed was a trial.
He knew she must have her coffee
Before she could give to him her smile.

But, now his voice was silent.
Her eyes are filled with misty tears.
Even though her days are lonely,
She recalls the happy years.

Her mornings were made cheerful,
For she would always find him up,
As she heard him kindly speak,
"Good morning, doll. I poured your cup."

When her days on earth are finished,
No more nights she'll be alone.
These lovely words will greet her,
"Good morning, doll. Welcome home."

Augusta K. Black