The Way You Look Tonight

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.