“Lady Death” is one of 18 poems and essays published in print Issue 103 of The Byway. Impressed with the poem’s high-level writing and depictions, Karen Munson decided to interview the author, 7th grader Talmage Tebbs. You will find both the interview and Talmage’s poem below.
Talmage Tebbs, the Real Deal
Judges of the recent LitJam event in Escalante were delighted with seventh grader Talmage Tebbs’ poem, Lady Death.
This is the third year the Escalante PTA has sponsored LitJam, an all-day writing workshop for Garfield County students in grades 5-8. As part of that event, students were invited to submit writing samples in poetry, nonfiction, fiction or oratory.
Volunteer judges reviewed each student sample and scored it according to a rubric indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the student’s writing. This feedback is valuable, as it informs the student of ways to revise and improve their piece. Two judges review each sample.
This year, two volunteer judges expressed interest and concern about a poem they had reviewed. It was too good to be true. The poem was sent on to the LitJam committee, which was also stunned by the graduate-level writing submitted by a student. As a result, they ran it through two plagiarism tests and got a 0% rating, meaning the poem is 100% authentic and original.
Who could write like that? The answer is Talmage Tebbs, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Panguitch Middle School in Jemma Carter’s English class. When asked how she could possibly produce such a spectacular piece, Talmage was surprised by the feedback. “It flows out of me, and I put my feelings onto the paper,” she explained. Further inquiry indicates that Talmage isn’t simply talented, but she has prepared to be able to write at such a level at her age.
“I didn’t really enjoy reading until third grade when I read a book that really interested me. After that, I couldn’t get enough. I read and reread all the children’s books in our home so much that they wore out, and my parents had to buy more. Then I began reading dictionaries.”
“My family reads scriptures together. The large words fascinate me, and I like sounding them out and learning what they mean. I really like spelling and am good at it because I’m so interested in words.”
When asked about her unique name, she responded, “My parents named me after James E. Talmage.” Talmage was a scholar, apostle, and prolific author of books now considered classics. One biographer described him as “intelligent and thirsty for knowledge.” Those same characteristics describe his namesake.
“My inspiration for Lady Death, the poem I submitted for LitJam, came after I watched a movie called The Hollow. The movie has a male grim reaper. I wondered what it would be like to make Grim a female, so I started sketching a female reaper and then started the poem. At first, the poem was short, but then, when I learned about the LitJam, I expanded it. It began to materialize in my mind.
“I encourage everyone to be open-minded and let ideas inspire them so that new thoughts can be formulated in their minds. I love taking an idea and turning it into something beautiful.” When Talmage starts talking about reading, writing, and sketching, her eyes light up.
“My favorite books, which I read over and over, are the Five Kingdoms series by Brandon Mull. I love how he twists the plot and makes the main character strong and bold out of someone you would least expect. His writing is creative and amazing.”
Both Talmage Tebbs and Cole (the hero in the Five Kingdom series) are quiet and reserved, yet also strong and talented. She is an unexpected marvel who is destined to become the hero of her journey as she continues to utilize resources and hone her talents.
– by Karen M. Munson
Feature image caption: Talmage Tebbs. Courtesy of Christian Tebbs.
Karen M. Munson – Escalante
Karen is an associate editor at The Byway. She is fascinated and fulfilled by all things involved with writing. After graduating from BYU, she taught English at Escalante High School for three years. She pursues opportunities to write and support others in their writing. Karen has published three books with four more scheduled to be released in 2024. She and Reed are the parents of ten children and the grandparents of 35 grandchildren.
Karen is the author of two columns in The Byway, A New Twist on Mental Health and Lyle’s Corner.
Lady Death
She stands in the cold, the wind blowing her heavy black cloak She hides in the shadows, she waits in the dark, knowing the time is nigh The air is biting, the night is still, not a sound is dared to be made Cold chills envelop you, a deep sorrow fills your heart The moon's at its peak, the stars seem to dim She looks up, and fear strikes you numb Her eyes bore into your soul, there is no emotion in those deep black orbs Her face lies expressionless, whilst danger drips off her every pore She owns a venomous beauty, a deadly stare You feel compelled to look and shake with terror She's come for you, not out of spite, but duty She saunters toward you, footsteps echoing in the piercing silence You want to run, but in pure freezing fear, you still She has no shadow but is made of many Years of this slaving have dulled the edge of guilt She swings her scythe in a dark, threatening rhythm, suspenseful moments last for ages She reaches you and the rhythm is sliced in a clean, crisp motion You look at her with pleading eyes, wishing her to cease Wanting to live to fulfill your wistful dreams You hoped you could have made a difference in this existence You look at her more deeply and know what has to be done You nod in understanding and she swings her scythe toward you She turns and walks away, no remnant of the wet, dark blood is left She walks into the shadows, and disappears, her burdening task complete She feels regret for but a moment, then harshly calms the useless thought Back to the underworld, she's pulled, her deathly chains confining her to the underworld She is in bondage, she longs to be free from this Hell These tasks that befall her are punishment for her filthy deeds In her earthly life, she sinned a many And when Grimm came for her she was sentenced to this endless damnation And for an eternity more, she will be the horror-striking Lady Death who kills mortals for the puppet master of the dead, Grimm
– by Talmage Tebbs (7th) Panguitch
Read more about LitJam in Escalante to Host 3rd Annual LitJam Conference.