Sunnybank, as a city on a hill

 

Elmer Hall 

many of us around Duke and Durham 

in the late 1960s and early 1970s

knew and appreciated Elmer Hall,

I worked with him in the Y.M.C.A.,

and I was clueless enough to hope 

to set him up with Nancy Richardson,

my wife appreciated visiting with him when she used 

the mimeograph in the basement of the Chapel

for what the Celestial Omnibus needed.

he gave his name and effort to support the Vigil 

in support of non-academic employees at Duke,

when weather turned bad,

Duke Chapel opened its doors for us to sleep inside,

I thank Elmer for that vision and support,

Duke Chapel had a heart when he worked there,

he and friends created the Somethyme Restaurant,

an experiment in community and food,

many of us felt he saw us truly,

or at least saw the best in us working to show itself,

Elmer was very present, and many of us,

in the brashness of our developing selves, 

appreciated how true to himself,

and how true to us, he was, how nice,

and also how solid,

for the last decades Elmer has lived in Hot Springs, N.C.,

creating and maintaining Sunnybank,

a temporary retreat for those advancing on the Appalachian Trail,

and a haven for others who just liked the place, and Elmer,

Hurricane Helene flooded the French Broad River

and wiped out the businesses who hugged its bank below his home,

Elmer's place high enough to endure,

it is a centering to be with Elmer,

his Sunnybank is as a city on a hill

and reminds us to see the best in ourselves and others,

and work to make it so,

despite the wreck that can come upon us

whether from our mistakes which might lead to a fierce storm,

or from an election that goes horribly wrong,

we sit in Elmer's living room and visit,

he still sees us true,

at least true to who we want to be,

I want him to realize how many of us he touched

are better for the moments with him,

I do not know you, Elmer, as much as I'd like,

but I feel I know you truly.

by Henry H. Walker

November 25, ‘24