Stories I never read in books

Every morning

was coffee with cream,

two sugars

 

a strawberry preserve

was spread neatly across

the toasted bread,

with a bowl of corn flakes

whole milk

and a Lucky Strike, or two

 

After breakfast

in a waist tied apron

she’d  polish and shine

the tabletops and candlesticks,

and hang the wash

out to dry

 

the clothes pin bag skirted the lines,

the afternoon sun

was frolicking in

her salt and pepper hair

 

the days seldom varied

since the war,

her body never waned

 

but her eyes

told me stories

I never read in books.

Author's Note

I wrote this in memory of my grandmother. "Lucky Strikes" were a cigarette she used to smoke.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This is one of the most precious tributes I’ve read in a long time. I love the simplicity of your observations, while your ending salvo suggests so much more depth of character & complexity hiding beneath. I love it when a writer draws a word picture of some everyday character in life with so many familiarities from my own life (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am most proud of this one. Thank you, Margie!

[Samuel Dickens]

Wow. I think I knew her. I certainly knew her generation and many similar to her, at least. My own mother, for one. When young, I liked Lucky strikes, too. (I quit 27 years ago) Mom smoked Salems. So much has changed, but not all for the better. I love little tales like this.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for reaching back to this one, Sam!

[Jennesis]

Wow....'her eyes told me stories I never read in books'
That is powerfully beautiful. What stories our grandmothers told us, without speaking. The reality of their journey written in the wrinkles of their faces. Makes me want to write about my grandma...lovely work as always

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you for the warmth of a lovely review, Jenn!

[Dave]

I remember all to well, not my grandmother, but my mother doing the wash. Before we had a machine she used a scrubbing board. From the breakfast she made for us in the morning until tucking us into bed at night her work seemed never to be over.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow, a scrubbing board - that must have taken some muscle to do a load of clothes. Thank you, Dave!

[Alfred Kukitz]

I knew little of my grandfather while he was alive but he carried a huge weight, fighting in WW I and the loss of his son in WW II.

Love,
al

[Kelly Scheppers]

I believe we carry a part of them with us, Alfred! Thank you!

[Island Hippy]

Aloha Kelly, what a wonderful poem I enjoyed reading this and I thought of my grandma. Lovely images especially clothes on a line... I laughed as Lucky Strike was what my papa smoked and the first cigarette I swiped and smoked too. Beautiful poem. Izzy

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am so glad it reminded you of your own grandmother, Izzy. What a thrill that is for me -
thank you so much!

[Island Hippy]

You're welcome

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly... I was born in 1940... so I can relate to my mother and grandmother hanging clothes on the line. For years I always hung my clothes on the line in summer months.
My grandma and mother put away their own preserves and breakfast was always an important meal with biscuits and gravy with fresh eggs from your own hens. My aunts and uncles smoked Lucky Strikes. We went fishing and had fish for dinner. Memories are precious as is your poem of reflections. truly, Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

I am touched by your memories, that you see them reflected within my own! Thank you, Pat!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly... I needed to read your poem with memories so similar to mine... back to sleep now... Pleasant dreams... Pat

[Lisa Lindsey]

Oh Kelly I found another favorite. I love your poems about family. She sounds just like my dear grandma. If anything will kick my muse back into gear it will be due to reading you. It's been wonderful catching up ... I'll be back!!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'm screaming girl, can you hear me? Yessss! Lisa's in da house!! ; )

[Will Neill]

Hi Kelly, its been a while, it was my own grandmother who set me on the path of story telling so I read this with a heavy heart remembering her.
Beautiful as always.
Will

[Kelly Scheppers]

My long, lost friend....how are you? It flatters me that you could see your own grandmother reflected in this, and that makes me even more proud to have written it! Are you still writing stories? I must pay a visit to you soon! Take care and thanks so much for stopping by! x

[Will Neill]

Yes I'm still busy and doing quite well Kelly, go over to my face book page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004843245206
regards Will

[Pete]

outstanding. such lucid, strong imagery which lasts long after. this flows so smoothly, it almost reads itself. oftentimes that's where the best stuff lies - in the common things in everyday life which are stories in and of themselves. we just need to open our eyes and hearts and let it in. you just did that for us!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I'll second that emotion, Pete...thank you!