Patricia Murphy shares these beautiful poems.
Thanks!
Patchwork Quilt
by Amanda Proctor, age 15
(Source: Teen Poetry Corner web site)
A fine specimen, I must say.
The blocks hand-stitched so neatly,
Each length of fabric tells a story.
Made by the loving hands of Grandma.
The quality no longer available,
For monotonous machines have taken its place.
Colours and patterns mesh together so well,
As if they made to be put there.
Every flower so meticulously stitched.
Arranged in an array of combinations,
Flowers with solids, solids with solids, flowers with flowers.
Making the perfect blanket for cool nights.
All quilts have a story behind them,
The maker's story.
Of the past, of the present,
The intriguing part of growing old.
Every stitch tells a feeling.
The secrets of your past, Grandma.
For years I would stare at your quilts,
Pondering what they could mean,
Wondering the story of yesterday.
You always promised to tell me one day,
But I was too busy, a regret.
Now there is time for the long awaited tale.
You are not getting any younger, Grandma.
Older and frailer with each passing day.
All the more time on your hands to tell me,
For soon it might be too late.
The quilt I bring as a refresher,
To avoid the plague that hits the young at heart.
Though, you already know the story quite well.
I am ready now, Grandma.
As we sit down, I notice how you ease into the chair,
Does it hurt your back, Grandma?
When you talk, your voice rasps,
Is this a cold coming on, Grandma?
Your hands shakes, as you gently stroke your handi-work,
Is it the emotions, Grandma?
A lot has changed, I notice over the years,
I notice this now, as you tell me the tale of your patchwork quilt.
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Patricia writes: The following message and song lyrics also appeared on another mailring
(regretfully, I failed to copy the sender's name- if I ever come across it, I'll forward
it on):
I teach 3rd and 4th Language Arts and
Social Studies. I found this beautiful song that I want to teach in an integrated unit on
Quilts. This song was played during the credits in the movie "Down in the
Delta". When I listened carefully to the words, I found out that it was not about
slaves (which would have made sense with the movie), but AIDS victims. I rewrote two words
and now it is about slaves. Does anybody have any ideas about what I could do with it for
a reading or writing lesson? More generally, how do you teach a poem or song at the 3rd
grade level or higher?
Patchwork Quilt
(Sweet Honey in the Rock)
They unfolded your lives one by one
They laid out your patchwork under the sun
And people gathered from miles around
To witness your quilt spread on the ground
And then they called out your names
Oh yes they called out your names
Oh and you’ll live forever
You know that I’ll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt
Well there were men and women and mothers and fathers
Sisters and brothers and daughters and sons
And children and babies and lovers and friends
They all lay before me sewn into one
And then they called out your names
Oh yes they called out your names
Oh and you’ll live forever
You know that I’ll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt
Oh your lives had meaning and your lives had joy
You touched so many people many more than you will know
And you wrap yourselves around me as I walk down these roads
You are letting me feel your beautiful souls
I feel the warmth of your lives
I feel the warmth of your lives
Oh and you will live forever
You know that I’ll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt
My heart spills over flowing with tears
I cry for your suffering and for your shortened years
And I’ll take you with me as I walk away
Remembering you who have died as slaves ("of AIDS" originally)
Yes, I remember your name
Yes, I remember your name
Oh and you’ll live forever
You know that I’ll be loving you just like a patchwork quilt.
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Ed. Note: If anyone recognizes these song lyrics, please send writer's name. I think
this would be a wonderful "poem" to recite, Readers Theater style. ~Marci
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