the Grandma book II
Once I spent a bit of time flipping through their pages I could tell there is someone special in my heart who will not only enjoy but reflect and reminisce of her own life. Poetry of a retro nature are sparsely placed within the pages. I want to pass on these books but, before I do, I am going to 'pen' a few of the ones that pull my heartstrings, for whatever reason. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I will give credit, when available.
FROM the Grandma book
THE GIFT
When I was a child were the skies as blue?
Were the clouds as puffy and white?
Were the sunsets of such a mangnificent hue?
The birds' song such pure delight?
Did the years of living help me to see
The beauty of the flowers?
Is growing old the magic key
That gives value to the hours?
~B. Purkis of Edmonton, Alberta
A DAUGHTER ALL HER LIFE
"My daughter and I talk of many things, for we have shared in the sun and shadows of life.
Yet sometimes, still, when I glance at her, I see the little girl with flaxen braids who climbed into my lap for just another bedtime story." ~Helena Stefanski of Lakewood, Colorado
CHILDHOOD DAYS
Now that I'm growing old
I can be really bold
And tell of things that used to be ...
A childhood so gay and so free.
How many crawdads I seined from the creek,
How many trees climbed where little birds cheep,
How many puddles I waded after a rain,
How many clover flowers made into a chain.
How many marbles made of shale.
How many berries picked in a pail.
How many rows of corn I hoed, on a horse-drawn cultivator I rode.
Drove a team of horses to pull a load of hay ... loosely it was piled; not baled as today.
Only the memories remain; now I share with the grandchildren sitting by my chair.
~Leona Wiltse of Altoona, Kansas
FROM the Grandma book II
THINGS WORTH GETTING UP FOR
Early morning in the kitchen,
Sunshine spilling on the floor,
A breeze flirting with the curtains ...
Kissed by dew the night before.
Bacon crising in the pan,
Coffee giggling in the pot,
Morning paper by my plate ...
To read if the coffee's still too hot.
A short walk in the garden,
Perhaps to pick a rose or two ...
That's how I liked to start my day,
But I all too seldom do.
~Berniece Phillips, Cuba, Illinois
QUALITY OF LIFE
Leave the dishes in the sink ...
Believee me, they will wait
While we watch the setting sun
Beyond the garden gate.
Don't tarry over petty things
That fritter your life away;
Hurry instead to watch the geese
As dawn breaks into day.
Leave the laundry in the tub,
Turn the supper fires down low,
And let's walk in the woodland,
In the pale moon's silver glow.
Let us taste the honey,
And drink deeply of the wine
Of life's richness and blessings
That today are yours and mine.
~Shirley Kelly Mears, Williamstown, New Jersey
LAZY DAY
Today I picked some apples
And made a big, fat pie;
Washed up a batch of clothes
And hung them out to dry;
Fried chicken, cooked potatoes,
Tried to not be late ...
Hauled the food down to the field,
And sat there while they ate.
Then home and did the dishes,
Went out and mowed the lawn,
Hurried to clean up the house ...
The day would soon be gone!
I got my supper started,
Then, with some time to spare,
Applied a little makeup,
And brushed my tangly hair.
At dark, home came my farmer,
And this he had to say:
"You're sure one lucky lady ...
Another quiet day!"
~May Anderson of Boone, Iowa
SURE THING
Each year brings cute new calendars
In every kind of shape and size,
But whatever calendar you choose
It will not change how fast time flies.
~Evelyn Mayfield, Torrance, California
BUTTON BOX
Buttons, generations old,
Horn and bone and plated gold;
Plastic, wooden, pearl and brass,
Little discs of rainbow glass;
Teardrops, hearts and bells and bows,
Filogrees and cameos;
Plain and sturdy ones to spare
For overalls and underwear
Two-eyed, four-eyed, sometimes fed
With a snarl of faded thread;
Orphans, mates and families,
Familiar friends and refugees;
Crest and symbol, shield and weath
(Here's one of Buddy's baby teeth!),
Odds and ends of alien stuff,
But nothing for the other cuff!
~Cosette Middleton