Elaine George Poet Personification

Notes About The Poem

Awarded First Place

A Stitch in Time

Elaine George

 

Contest Description

What to Submit?

Now, here's a challenge.....

Write me a sixteen line poem, and I've already given you lines one, nine and sixteen, which are-

1- ' Sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust'

9- 'The war years seemed like only yesterday'

16- 'The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark'

Off you go, then......

Awarded:  First Place

A Stitch In Time

Sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust
     In a house where a maiden's dreams were crushed
     An open seam forever left impaled
     Discolored remnants of a wedding veil

     Beneath a stitch in time that came too late
     A silver needle sewed her final fate
     A blushing bride she never was to be
     A spinster was to be her destiny
          
     The war years seemed like only yesterday'  
     As I gazed on the ruins and disarray
     A mildewed wedding dress that stood in wait
     Beneath layers of soggy tattered lace

     Then beneath the leaking roof and fallen beams
     I heard the humming of that old machine
     As she tried to mend the dream that fell apart
     The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark


Author:  Elaine Cecelia George

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David Smith September 2, 2020 at 12:26 AM Truly seamless. Best regards David in NZ

Bartholomew Williams June 20, 2018 at 9:36 AM Elaine, congratulations on a beautiful albeit tragic piece, as well as your first-place win! I appreciate that your poem is a metaphor for much of life. We often fail to realize our dreams, and sadly, once it's too late, try to recapture them. Here's to both of us living and fulfilling our dreams real-time!! All my very best to you and yours always! :) Bartholomew Elaine George June 22, 2018 at 10:06 AM Thank you for stopping by, Bartholomew...and for your much appreciated comments. elaine

Richard Lamoureux June 2, 2018 at 8:30 AM I see you are a masterful seamstress, congrats on a fine win. The Judge has excellent taste. Elaine George June 4, 2018 at 6:24 AM Thanks for stopping by...and for your very kind comments, Richard...much appreciated. Elaine

Dean Wood May 8, 2018 at 11:09 AM I knew this would do well! Congratulations! You "stitched" Viv's lines together masterfully. Well done. -- Dean Elaine George May 11, 2018 at 2:35 PM Thank you for stopping by, Dean...and for your very kind comments. Elaine

Sandra Haight May 3, 2018 at 1:56 PM So beautifully and thoughtfully written using the line prompts, Elaine. Congratulations on your 1st Place win in the contest! Hugs, Sandra Elaine George May 4, 2018 at 5:54 AM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Sandra.

Ralph Sergi May 3, 2018 at 7:16 AM Great approach to a difficult poem, Elaine Elaine George May 4, 2018 at 5:53 AM Thank you so much, Ralph.

Joyce Johnson May 2, 2018 at 2:39 PM You did wonderfully well with this rather difficult contest. It was hard to find a way to tie these lines together. You managed beautifully. Congratulations. Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:15 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Joyce. Much Appreciated. Elaine

Carolyn Devonshire May 2, 2018 at 2:03 PM A compelling story, Elaine. Although she didn't remarry, the reader wonders if she ever found happiness again. Beautifully written. Congratulations on taking first place! Hugs, Carolyn Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:15 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Carolyn. Those three lines really set my imagination on fire. Lainie

Jan Allison May 2, 2018 at 11:47 AM Such an emotive piece Elaine:-) Many congratulations on your win in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:14 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Jan.

Susan Gentry May 2, 2018 at 9:39 AM Oh my! This is hauntingly beautiful and I see how it #1 on the winner's list. Congratulations! Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:14 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Susan.

Old Goat May 2, 2018 at 8:11 AM Oh Elaine, this is brilliant. So vivid and thought provoking. You had me from the opening rhyme! Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:13 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Old Goat. LoL. I'M an old goat too. Much appreciated.Elaine.

Kim Rodrigues May 2, 2018 at 7:25 AM Back for congrats on your top win! I knew I would see it there!! Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:13 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Kim.

Charles Messina May 2, 2018 at 7:03 AM We could have easily pulled the needle from the haystack with this amazing write. Congrats on your 1st place victory Elaine, All the best...Charlie Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:12 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Charlie.

Line Gauthier May 2, 2018 at 5:49 AM Wow, Elaine, what an emotive write. Lovely. Congrats on your top win. Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:12 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, my poetic friend. Elaine

Tom Cunningham May 2, 2018 at 2:45 AM Beautiful verse Elaine, and this happened to so many during the war years. Congratulations. Tom. Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:11 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Tom.

Paul Callus April 30, 2018 at 2:49 PM Undoubtedly you found those three prompts inspiring, Elaine. I've read a handful of very good entries, and this is one of them. The ending is superb! Regards // paul Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:11 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Paul.

Eileen Manassian April 28, 2018 at 9:31 PM Oh...this is so sad albeit beautifully written. Some dreams can never be revived. Lovely piece, and thanks for your visit to my poem. Blessings. Elaine George May 2, 2018 at 5:10 PM Thank you so much for your kind comments, Eileen.

Andrea Dietrich April 28, 2018 at 6:34 PM wow, Elaine. I also based my poem on a widow!!! Beautifully done!!! Elaine George April 28, 2018 at 6:55 PM lol. Great minds think alike.

Arturo Michael April 28, 2018 at 4:32 PM A wonderful title and imagery...a sad story too... Elaine George April 28, 2018 at 6:55 PM Thank you so much for stopping by, And for your kind comments.

Kim Rodrigues April 28, 2018 at 1:44 PM You are great, Elaine! Thoroughly loved your poem! Elaine George April 28, 2018 at 6:56 PM Thank you Kim. Your comments are so kind and so much appreciated.