Sara Kendrick Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

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.

Burlap and Satin

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 April 5, 2018 at 8:13 PM The touch of poetry in every stanza delights the reader ... enjoyed reading the memory laden burlap and satin ...

Jack Horne March 31, 2018 at 2:39 PM lovely memories of your dear parents

Susan Gentry March 31, 2018 at 12:36 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 March 31, 2018 at 8:55 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 March 31, 2018 at 5:55 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 March 31, 2018 at 12:00 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 March 30, 2018 at 9:34 PM Wonderful write, Sara, congratulations on your win! Have a wonderful Easter Hugs Eve

Line Gauthier March 30, 2018 at 7:30 PM Beautiful and touching poem, Sara. Congrats on your win.

Andrea Dietrich March 30, 2018 at 7:07 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 March 30, 2018 at 6:37 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 March 30, 2018 at 5:37 PM Oh Sara.....this takes me back to my mother! You touched my heart with this poem! Loved it!

Caren Krutsinger March 27, 2018 at 9:23 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 March 27, 2018 at 6:28 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 March 26, 2018 at 2:15 AM Excellent. Your poem is made full of old memories. Well done. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.

Susan Ashley March 25, 2018 at 8:23 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 March 25, 2018 at 7:40 AM I love the real-ness this poems possesses. Thankyou for sharing it! H

Tom Cunningham March 24, 2018 at 3:23 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 March 24, 2018 at 4:18 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 March 24, 2018 at 8:57 AM Well written Sara...best wishes in the contest.. Sara Kendrick March 24, 2018 at 9:33 AM Joseph, Thanks for the comments and well wishes. I appreciate you dropping by. Sara

Kim Rodrigues March 24, 2018 at 8:00 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 March 24, 2018 at 9:32 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