Lillie

The following is a poem I wrote of my grandmother Lillie, who I refer to also in my story "The Rocking Chair's Story" . She died in 1985, but was a huge influence on all who ever met her.

Lillie

Each of us came into her life

That woman unique

Preacher's kid, loving sister, young bride….loving mother………helpmate, grandmother…..favorite aunt……..still more………….

Pulling weeds, through all time.

Dirt poor, farmer, city dweller, depression victim, "san" patient, chicken raiser……sewer of scraps, save, giver of spoonfuls of sugar, baby rocker, lead foot, berry picker, fruit lover, grower of roses…..grower of all things---even us.

Still pulling weeds from our lives

Encouraging, cajoling, rocking, scolding, cradling, humming, hymn singing, praying, caring, cooking…unpretentious, wry comments, working to exhaustion, spoiling each child, always there….loving…ever loving us

She pulled the weeds from around our lives.

Who will pull our weeds for us now?

Comments: 9

Jerine Watson Jan 9, 2006, 4:47pm EST

Nice memories but I think you mean "sower" not "sewer" and the last line is a question, not a declarative sentence. Your idea is a good one with the allegory of weeds, but perhaps the reader would like to know she had instilled in her progeny the ability to recognize and pull their own weeds?? You might also cut the superfluous and use a more standard free verse format - that would strengthen it considerably. Reminded me of my great-grandmother, Little Mama. And I'm older than you are, lady, and still hit the floor running with excitement and eager hope, every morning. Guess I'm trying to outrun the Grim Reaper. He didn't catch me with breast cancer in '86, so I'm still leaping hurdles. Write, write, write! But more of your own stuff, not just comments ---

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Carol Voigts Jan 9, 2006, 5:04pm EST

Thanks, Jerine for the comments. I think I did mean "sewer" as she made many articles of clothing for us out of literally scraps of material.

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Carol Voigts Jan 9, 2006, 9:07pm EST

Thanks, Cathy. I will mull that idea over and come up with something to add. That's a good idea.

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Pam F. Jan 9, 2006, 9:16pm EST

I liked it. Tribute Poetry to someone you love is always special. :)

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Monica Kennedy Jan 10, 2006, 9:05am EST

Sounds like a special, well rounded lady. Thanks for sharing!

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Doris R. Jan 12, 2006, 3:52pm EST

Hi Carol. I think you did a good job telling about your sweet grandmother. But at the same time I am glad to welcome you to the amateur poet's band wagon with me. I think this was your inner feeling as was mine... I really did write mine for my Prince Charming , and a relation ship that did not work out. Oh well, just keep trucking and I will too. Thanks for reading me. Please stay in touch as I let you know what has happened to our little town Grundy... It is being torn down and rebuilt across the river.... another story for another time... thanks again. Doris Rice

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jessie voigts Jan 14, 2006, 12:28pm EST

carol - i love this poem! (carol is my aunt - gramma lillie was my great gramma!) - i LOVE the sewer of scraps. we all do this, now, don't we? talk about a skill handed down over generations. i still remember going out to the garden in the morning with gramma lillie - to weed our row of the day - and watching her pick a tomato and EAT IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE! i will never forget the joy on her face as she gleefully, casually, ate that tomato. oh, and her love. it will never be replaced! thank you - jessie

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John F Walter Apr 1, 2006, 12:02pm EST

The metaphor you chose for this extraordinary woman was extremely apt--puller of weeds. Your apellations for her are thick with love and gratitude, and your prose poem communicates what a worker she was, what a contribution she made, what an impact she had.
Most of all, I like the simple, heartfelt structure in this piece.

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Comments: 9

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