One, Nine, Sixteen
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My mother had a sewing machine identical to this one, it was sold when my parent's house was cleared.
The ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral still remain next to the new Cathedral which was consecrated by Queen Elizabeth II on 25th May 1962.
THE DARKEST DAYS OF HER LIFE
The sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust
I discovered it, by chance, in my late mother’s attic.
My hand brushed the protective wooden case,
lifting the lid, I saw her antique sewing machine.
The cover had kept the machine in good condition
I could clearly see the maker’s name Jones, in gold letters.
I’d never seen the machine before, but remember my mother
telling me she’d made clothes for orphaned children
The war years seemed like only yesterday, she’d tell me,
recalling vivid memories of the bombing, which caused
such destruction in the city of Coventry where she’d lived.
The air raid sirens would wail, people hurried to the shelters
hoping; praying they and their loved ones would survive.
During the ten hour raid when the Cathedral was bombed
she’d fled to a tiny cellar, with few provisions. Many hours passed,
the candle spluttered, spent, and all was dark …
Fictional poem but based on some fact
One, Nine and Sixteen contest
Sponsored by Viv Wigley
Required lines
1- 'The sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust'
9- 'The war years seemed like only yesterday'
16- 'The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark'
4/13/18
Copyright © Jan Allison | Year Posted 2018
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