LEEWIND: President Conn reveals hidden hobby—writing poetry
Courtesy of Preston Steger, Social Media Manager
LEEWIND is a weekly series by the Lee Clarion featuring a story from our archives to celebrate Lee's Centennial.
This story is about Charles W. Conn, former president of Lee University and father of current president Charles Paul Conn.
Fall 1977—For those of you who are not enrolled in Dr. Conn's Church of God History class, you may not be aware that a tremendous event has come and gone. Dr. Conn has revised and updates his monumental book, "Like a Mighty Army." It brings up to date the church's trends, happenings and dates, and very amply too.
Said Dr. Conn, "I'm very, very, glad it's finished, and I can get it all out of my head and get on with some other things of a creative nature."
"Like what?" You may ask.
Well, not many people know that Dr. Conn has been compiling a book of poetry for years now. "But," says Dr. Conn, "I'm very guarded about my poetry. I have a book of poetry here, but it won't be published until after I'm gone."
He did, however, graciously respond with two poems that show just how versatile he is. The first was written in Madrid, Spain, in the spring.
"The hungry mind held at bay by sleep dashes upon waking to its treasured storm
to instant thoughts of love and lore,
to flowered beauty it held in thought the night before,
into the stubborn questions hid behind their iron and rusted door."
He is deep and philosophic, but at times he lets loose with a short witty one like this one.
"You can't remain very fair, showing off your derriere,
Nor any noble height attained living on the world acclaim,
If you frolic, flaunt and show it, you will fall before you know it."
It is great to have a man of such breadth as our president.
