Storytellers

Several years ago, my mother-in-law gave me her mother’s antique chicken and rooster set. If my memory serves me correctly, she said they came from Germany. I fell in love with them immediately and put them on a kitchen shelf (as my kitchen has always been decorated with reds). For 25 years these “love birds” have sat in my home and who knows how many years they’ve been listening in on family stories. I like to think they secretly communicate with each other and tell each other all sorts of wonderful family stories.

Grandma Heisler’s red chicken & rooster. 

  

Storytellers

You sit

silently

on my shelf

Yet, you know 

a thousand stories 

you could tell

I wish 

you could talk

to me

Instead,

you silently communicate 

with each other 

Red Rooster

Red Chicken 

Family friends 

Today’s Poetry Friday roundup is being brought to us by Catherine at Reading to the Core. Be sure to check her out and take in all the poetry love!  Happy reading!

Treasures

When I was a little girl, we spent a lot of time at my grandparent’s house. Upstairs from them, lived my great aunt Gert (my grandma’s sister).  During the summer months and weather permitting, we would all sit on the front porch. Although aunt Gert would be a part of the front porch festivities, she liked to surprise my brother and I with little treats. So, one of the first things we loved to do was run upstairs to see aunt Gert and what she had left for us in her desk drawers.

Jeremy and I waiting for the school bus (1981).

Treasures

we’d rush upstairs

above grandma and grandpa’s

each visit

my brother and I 

would excitedly check

aunt Gert’s desk drawers

mine on the right

Jeremy’s on the left

treasures always awaited

a comic book

a coloring book

a band for cat’s cradle 

a card game

a game of jacks 

sometimes a Little Golden Book

something special

to play or read

with great aunt Gert

Great aunt Gert. 

Margaret at Reflections on the Teche is hosting today’s Poetry Friday Roundup. Besides sharing the round up of poetry love, Margaret shares a lovely poem she wrote in response to a photograph, “Cajun Queen.”

Window Shelf

My dad, Jim. 

My cozy house. 

Shelf from an old window, created by my dad. 

For as long as I can remember, my dad has been a creative craftsman when it comes to woodworking. He’s crafted many unique items for his family. One such item is a window shelf that he created from one of my old dining room windows.  Two years ago, I had my kitchen and dining room renovated and he kept some of the old windows (which were original to my 80 year old home). Each time I walk by my window shelf, I imagine it as a “window”into my home’s long history. For me, it holds 25 years of memories.

Window Shelf

Wandering mind . . . 
Into the past
Needing to be remembered 
Days, months, years
On the wall
Wistfully recalling moments of home

Today’s Poetry Friday round up is being hosted by Jan at BookSeedStudio.  Make sure you click on the link for a variety of poetry love.