Edwards Muse

Guy Wheelock Edwards once remarked to his mother that he wished he were able to publish his poetry. His brother, Ralph Burris Wheelock opined that he was not blessed as a poet. Both brothers showed a poetic gift. This volume is both a memorial and a testament to their muse.

Guy Wheelock suffered from rheumatic fever as a teenager and was never very healthy after that. However, he worked hard to provide for his family, putting his hand and his mind to many different tasks, from share-crop farming to making sorghum molasses to Swedish massage. It is said he had healing hands but never charged for his services. He and his wife, Miranda, raised their ten children on their Iowa farm. For leisure they would gather around the piano and sing hymns and recite poetry. Guy created his own instruments and played a hand-crafted guitar. He wrote poetry largely for his own enjoyment and to the delight of his children.

Four of his sons served in World War II, two of them at the Battle of the Bulge. One, Robert, was killed in combat and was awarded a Silver Star for bravery after he saved his troop from a German tank. Guy was deeply affected by the war and many of his poems reflect his anguish over the war and the loss of his son.

Ralph Burris Wheelock served as a minister in the Congregational church. When he passed away, his church published a small memorial booklet containing a few of Rev. Edwards' poems.

The book continues with the poetry of David Wheelock Edwards, grandson of Guy, with the works of Kathy Latusick, a granddaughter, Ron Hildreth, grandson-in-law, and Kristina Ferguson, great-granddaughter, showcasing that The Edwards Muse is a generational talent, passed on through the family.