December 2021 – Shaun Martin Architect

Duck Pond and Arboretum at Smyrna, Georgia

So last night, I wrote this poem in the spirit of our Christmas this season. To all the soldiers fighting COVID this holiday, you’re not alone. I dedicate this poem “A COVID Christmas” to my family and to all of you having a different Christmas this year.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Almost all had COVID, not sure about mouse

The stockings sat boxed by the tree over there,

In hopes that the family would surely be spared.

The lights were half hung and the cleaning half done.

Clear evidence of the battle that COVID had won.

Big sis knew best and would rise to the cause

Away from our home and beyond COVID claws.

Baby tested positive and was snug in her bed;

While I, tested same, coughed with pain in my head;

Super Dad with immune powers avoided mishap

Retreated downstairs for the night while we napped.

Sounds of occasional coughing was heard.

The hum of blocked vents seemed so strangely absurd.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Grabbed Kleenex to cough and wipe phlegm like a flash.

I had to slow down or might faint by the dash.

‘No snow to reflect the full moon of the night.

Just COVID which swallowed all hope in my sight.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he was going to get sick.

“No Santa No” I yelled the closer they came.

“We got COVID St. Nick, it is just not the same”

I yelled a long list of social distancing rules.

I yelled “Where’s your mask you sweet bearded fool?

We gotta be safe, could you come back again?

I was not aware you made sick calls past ten.”

And to my surprise, he said “Just be cool

I know what you have because I ain’t no fool.”

He whipped out his mask that needed a caption

‘cause his was a super fantastic contraption.

He came to the door, why waste time on the soot.

No fancy entrance just sauntered on foot.

My heart was warmed as he slowly approached.

My personal space he refused to encroach.

I reset my gaze on my much wanted guest.

I had to stay upright yet give myself rest.

“Hello there my dear, how are you and the fam?

I brought you some things that will help you to heal.”

I know this is odd and not per normal plan.

I cleared my throat and was glad for the deal.

His sack was not big and seemed more like a satchel.

No toys or treats but some things more substantial

He magically whipped out a crockpot of soup

Some Vitamin C and some tissues to boot.

Cherry cough drops to open us up from nose to chest.

All the right things to get us feeling our best.

And just as we stood we were surrounded by light.

My chest opened up, my outlook more bright.

“May you feel much better come Christmas sunrise.

May the family be well and have a great Christmas time.”

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight –

“Wear the dam mask to rid COVID outright.

Get vaxed crazy folks and have greater compassion.

Merry Christmas to all, be light and love in action.”

– The End –

This post was written in response to a public statement by the City of Smyrna, GA on its proposal to release/demolish Aunt Fanny’s Cabin, a facility that was recently deemed “UNSAFE” due to structural and environmental hazards. The City of Smyrna has several buildings in its keep that required millions of dollars to renovate and yet this structure somehow is not worthy of the investment.

This post merely poses food for thought in hopes to motivate the City leaders to consider a plan commensurate with her contribution to her community. Fanny Williams is the name to be remembered here. Her life story should be rightly positioned and told in FULL, maybe in a “Fanny Williams Center for Justice and Reconciliation”? May her life be the testimony of redemption that Smyrna needs to heal lest history repeats itself.

In light of the recent vote this coming Monday (12/20/21) to demolish/release Smyrna’s Aunt Fanny’s Cabin, it is important to put a face with a name. Fanny Williams, aka Aunt Fanny, was a brilliant, resourceful woman who understood the Jim Crow system and worked it to serve the needs of the African American community. Her story is one of resilience, fortitude, grace, humility and activism. Her life was hard, her commitment to a greater cause was evident and she persevered thru it all. Her recipes and cooking put Smyrna on the map as prominent people came from all over the US to get a taste of authentic southern cooking. This fact alone is central to Smyrna’s history.

She understood that her brand was key to her own success and hence, that of her community allowing her the ability to secure donations to ultimately cofound Cobb County’s first black hospital. This is what I call a victim turned victor in the grand scheme of things. This would ultimately be the reason why she would be targeted by the KKK and other hate groups and yet she persisted!!! With no offspring to give her proper burial, her body rests somewhere unknown. Her honor deserves more.

While it is true the building embodies a spirit of the worst of humanity, it is a missed opportunity to not repurpose its presence to tell her story of resilience and fortitude which is also a reflection of Smyrna as well. What once was a City that prided itself on 0% Black population is now one of the most diverse communities in Cobb County. My hope is that Smyrna do her memory justice and not reduce her contribution to a bronze plaque to be forgotten and trampled on. Cancel culture robs us of the redemptive blessings of the human experience. Fanny Williams was much too important for that. How many of us will be so fortunate in our lifetime to be primary donors to a building and have the privilege to participate in its groundbreaking. That would be a feat in current day especially dealing with all of the threats she faced back then. The second image above is captioned as follows: “Pictured above Groundbreaking – Aunt Fanny helped found the first black hospital in the county.” Sent by a dear friend, this photo brought a tear to my eye.

Sometimes moving Smyrna into the future means embracing a mindset that enriches the present using the past as a spring point for greater understanding and deeper experiences to be had by ALL, especially for our children.