Picture a woman, consider her life,
a century ago and more.
So many children needing her care,
each one dearly adored.
Days filled with work to be done;
Food to prepare, a garden to grow,
clothes washed with a rough scrub board,
evenings she’d mend and sew.
What an occasion a quilting would be,
gathered with family and friends.
Folks would be sharing neighborly talk,
news of beginnings and ends.
They might have been making a friendship quilt,
remembrances carefully signed,
for some would be moving to westward lands
while others stayed behind.
Sickness a danger to each precious child
while wartime took many a man.
Grief a recurrent part of her life;
hardships she must withstand.
Scraps of their clothing in a quilt
helped bring those cherished ones near.
Envision her touching each piece of cloth,
comforted over the years.
© 1998 Anne Johnson
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