John Malone Home Page

On the Damascus Road
Presents

Walter Malone 1867-1915

    Walter's short life of 48 years did not diminish his creativeness and orginality. His poems reflect the depth of understanding of nature and his God. In evaluating poetry, one of the best questions to ask is, "Will it stand the test of time?" Indeed the title poem for which he is best known, "Opportunity," is a reflection of life and our ability to achieve. It received national attention in June of 1973 when Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr. quoted from it during the infamous Watergate hearings. The poem was received by young adults, their parents, and grandparents with enthusiasm and still retains meaning for today's generation.
    Few men achieve success in one field. Walter achieved it in two—poetry and the law. Although he is best known as a poet, his abilities in the field of Jurisprudence also brought him recognition.
    A member of a prominent Southern family with a record of distinguished public service, Walter knew at an early age that he wanted to be a writer. At thirteen, his first articles were published by the Louisville Courier-Journal. His first book of poetry, Claribel and Other Poems was published when he was only sixteen.
    He was graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1887. After his admission to the bar he moved to Memphis where he shared a law office with his brother James Malone, who later became mayor of Memphis, Tennessee.
    In 1897, Walter Malone retired from the law for a period of three years, which he devoted to literary work. In 1900, he published Song of North and South, a collection of poems that appeared in magazines during the previous three years. In 1906, he wrote Songs of East and West. His best known poem, "Opportunity" was published in Munsey's Magazine in 1905.
    These poems are available in book form under the title Opportunity and other poems by Walter Malone. It is a self published volume by Alba R. Malone. But it was published 64 years after the author's death. Therefore, it is public domain. Here I offer for you the poem index