Here is a poem I had to write for my creative writing class. We had to use vivid imagery to capture a moment that expresses our admiration for someone we've known or a striking character. This is the first poem I've written in a long time and it isn't perfect, but I'm pretty proud of it.
The Greatest Generation
The
house smelled like death and Red Door
When
she came in for the first time that week.
There
were no wet tissues in her hands
But
they could not have been far away.
Still
radiantly beautiful in her seventies
A
lock of hair always exposed under the blonde wig
She
has worn for almost twenty years now.
Nights
after everyone left,
Quiet
hymns and gentle talking
Drifted
from the bedroom she helped decorate.
Bittersweet
laughter rose and fell like tanked oxygen.
Soft,
plump fingers rolled silver strands
In
rubber curlers that were a vibrant green and yellow
Fifty
years ago.
Children
of the Depression never throw out good curlers.
For
dinner she poured Gerber peas into a blue china bowl
And
held each spoonful to her best friend’s lips
Careful
not to go too fast
It
had been a while since her granddaughters were that little.
Sinatra
sang “The
Way You Look Tonight”
While
she chose a delicate bottle of lotion.
Everyone
wants to smell like vanilla
Everyone
wants fresh pajamas
Won’t you please arrange it?
Cause I love you…
Both
could not fight back the tears
When
she dipped a purple washcloth into warm water
And
one great lady washed the feet of another.
A
last act of humility, to honor and prepare
In
case tonight was the night.
One
day it will be her turn to lie and wait.
For
now, she dreams handsome angels
Who
look like the sweethearts they sent off to war
Are
tearing up that hospital bed.
My grandmother, Frances, on the far left and her beautiful best friend and caretaker Laura, on the far right. I only hope I am blessed with a friendship like theirs in my life.
