Light of the Past

A Poetic Entry For Writer's Cramp

This poem is entered in "The Writer's Cramp" . The prompt is to end the poem with this line from The Poisonwood Bible, bolded: Walk forward into the light

Light of the Past

The past is beckoning from the darkness,
small town days in Rockville, Maryland
Popcorn popping at Woolworth's
Taking goldfish home in a plastic bag

Mother ruled the fabric section,
with her Butterick patterns,
ready to whip out the "pinking" shears on a moment's notice ~
What is "pinking" anyway?

I have her Singer Sewing Machine
and his solid black Underwood Typewriter,
Her measuring cup feeds my dog, Boo
His copy of "The Grapes of Wrath" is falling apart in its special place

Red and white metal kitchen table, I touch daily for luck,
they have another great granddaughter due
on a deceased granddaughter's birthday
strange how life flows on after loss

Two people so positive and so dear,
I loved meeting their arriving planes
Welcoming them home, those smiling faces
wished forever happy, they walk forward into the light

20 Lines