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Burlap and Satin

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Image result for Flour Sack Clothing One of my skirts was a fabric somewhat like this one. It was only one year that we had to do this because mother was laid off. She usually bought our clothes and the groceries. She went back to work within a year and then one other time she was out of work for a short time but I did not remember it being as bad.

On the porch, clouds covering the sun Memories flood like spring rain Remembering those times long ago Of burlap times and pain There was no hope for satin gowns Calico was my dress Then times were harder that one year Adults were really stressed Daddy bought the animal feed In sacks of printed cloth Mama got enough matching bags Untouched by dreaded moth Two skirts were made by a seamstress Some shirts from bleached flour sacks There was no nudity at our home In work mom did not slack We knew nothing of satin cloth Survival our weak mode God blessed my father's efforts When new skirts were sewed Written: March 24, 2018

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Probir Gupta

Date: 4/5/2018 8:13:00 PM

The touch of poetry in every stanza delights the reader ... enjoyed reading the memory laden burlap and satin ...

Jack Horne

Date: 3/31/2018 2:39:00 PM

lovely memories of your dear parents

Susan Gentry

Date: 3/31/2018 12:36:00 PM

Congratulations on your win! A thought-provoking poem that sounds very real. I remember when families did what they had to do to get by. This is a fave for me, a 7.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/31/2018 8:55:00 AM

Since I cannot reply to the comments I will visit each person's page individually which I do anyway. I have checked my settings and they are all correct so I have no idea why my ability to reply is no longer available. The administration staff say they don't know and can't duplicate it on their end. Sara

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 3/31/2018 5:55:00 AM

I second Reason A. Poet - salutations. I like your author's note comment that you have no bad memories about the situation. And today the Burlap dresses may be sold as retro, sustainable and chic. Reinventing an ecological wheel. I remember my father and mother telling me about post war 'fashion'. Everything was made from recycled uniforms. But I prefer your dresses made from feed bags. Many wishes. Let us make love not war, Kai

Reason A. Poteet

Date: 3/31/2018 12:00:00 AM

Salutations! Well-deserved. Marvelous response to the prompt. Have a friend who humorously tells of her step-mom making underwear from flour sacks. She and six siblings survived prison camp at St. Tomas in the Philipines during WWII.

Eve Roper

Date: 3/30/2018 9:34:00 PM

Wonderful write, Sara, congratulations on your win! Have a wonderful Easter Hugs Eve

Line Gauthier

Date: 3/30/2018 7:30:00 PM

Beautiful and touching poem, Sara. Congrats on your win.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/30/2018 7:07:00 PM

Ahhh, you did an incredible entry for that contest, Sara. So glad to see this on the winner list. It's one that had got past me! Congrats for your win.

Sandra Haight

Date: 3/30/2018 6:37:00 PM

Such sad memories for you, Sara, triggered by the 'burlap and satin' theme, but how wonderfully you bring your emotions to us in your well-written poem. Congratulations on your fine placement on this short list of winners! Hugs, Sandra

Carrie Richards

Date: 3/30/2018 5:37:00 PM

Oh Sara.....this takes me back to my mother! You touched my heart with this poem! Loved it!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/27/2018 9:23:00 PM

Sara, I was thinking the other day of the flour sacks we used to have all of our clothes made out of; I do not think I realized there were fabric stores until I was about ten years old, and maybe there weren't any. I like your phrase "burlap times" for if you understand the course roughness of burlap, this says so much. A nice way to bring these two fabrics into a nostalgic masterpiece.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 3/27/2018 6:28:00 PM

ohh, sara..nice to read you again.. marvelous depiction of burlap and satin with a plot that unfolds your symbolisms beautifully... huggs

Ravi Sathasivam

Date: 3/26/2018 2:15:00 AM

Excellent. Your poem is made full of old memories. Well done. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.

Susan Ashley

Date: 3/25/2018 8:23:00 PM

Sara, your memories touch me deeply.. feelings of admiration for the strength, ingenuity and perseverance your parents had through the toughest times, as they shepherded their children through it. 'of burlap times and pain' - that is a powerfully evocative line.. and a brilliant poem! Best wishes for a win! ~Susan

Mockingbird Stevenson

Date: 3/25/2018 7:40:00 AM

I love the real-ness this poems possesses. Thankyou for sharing it! H

Tom Cunningham

Date: 3/24/2018 3:23:00 PM

Things were tough years ago but our parents worked hard and did their best, thankfully things are better now and we look back and appreciate the sacrifices they made. Good luck in the contest Sara. Tom.

Sara Kendrick
Date: 3/24/2018 4:18:00 PM

Tom, I wonder if these are going to turn the other way again and we end up with a rich class and poor class. I am not sure about the future for our children and grandchildren. Some parents were wonderful and made life easier for their children even during the hardest times. Thanks for stopping by. Sara

Joseph May

Date: 3/24/2018 8:57:00 AM

Well written Sara...best wishes in the contest..

Sara Kendrick
Date: 3/24/2018 9:33:00 AM

Joseph, Thanks for the comments and well wishes. I appreciate you dropping by. Sara

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 3/24/2018 8:00:00 AM

Remembering those times long ago Of burlap times and pain. A great line! Poems are made of memories. Nice job, Sara! GL in contest!

Sara Kendrick
Date: 3/24/2018 9:32:00 AM

Kim, Thanks for well wishes for the contest. I posted pictures and some notes but they are not coming through. I don't know if it is on my side or if it is the site's problem. Your comments are uplifting. Sara