0 HONORING WOMEN--POETRY SELECTIONS

I was never a fan of poetry when I was young. It seemed that the teachers always picked the hardest and most confusing poems and then made the class analyse them. What an awful way to ruin a good poem, I thought. But I can assure you that each of the following poetry selections are not only enjoyable to read, but very understandable, too, with no analysis necessary!

The first one is a contemporary poem written by a fellow quilter named, Dawn. She wrote it several years ago about her Grandmother Mabel Amanda Gravely (Oppen.) Mabel lived in Minnesota and was one of the Lucky Pony Winners. In the picture below, she is posing with her pony "Scrappy." Dawn's Grandmother Mabel died in 1989 at the age of 88. Many thanks to Mabel's daughter Ruth, her grand-daughter Dawn, and the rest of their family for helping me to learn about Mabel. She must have been a wonderful woman to have been loved so much.

More about Mabel and her family can be found on my other blog: http://www.ponyclubchildren.blogspot.com/search/label/Child--Gravley-Mabel

"Memories of Grandma"

Oh Grandma. I remember when

I would sit on your lap

And you'd read me a story

Or we'd sit around and chat.

Mabel Amanda Gravley (Oppen) in 1915
at the age of 14, and her pony "Scrappy"

When you'd take me shopping

And buy me a book

Or we'd take the bus downtown

Just to take a look.

We'd go to our favorite doughnut shop
And have our favorite treats.
We'd sing into the tape recorder
And laugh out of our seats.

Grandma, I can still see your face
And I can see your wonderful smile.
Oh how I sometimes wonder
If you think about me for a while.

I remember all the games we used to play
And we'd smile, giggle and just have fun.
You'd tuck me in bed when I'd spend the night.
And we'd say our prayers when the day is done.

I remember when you'd let me sip your coffee
with a little bit of cream.
Or you'd fix my favorite breakfasts
And we'd talk and daydream.

You taught me how to crochet

And helped me learn to sew.

You'd sit by me and color
Or we'd watch the falling snow.

Oh Grandma, if you only knew

How much those times have meant to me.

They're a part of you I'll have forever

And they'll be treasured endlessly.

I wouldn't change any memories

But there is one thing I'd do

And that is to let you know,

Grandma, how much I do love you.

Both of the following poems, "The Mother" by Berton Braley and "The Farmer's Wife" by John Hanlon were published in 1927.