Peace Signs On Denim Pockets

She held on to her blue jeans
From our younger, college days
With peace signs painted on each back pocket
And that worn-almost-every-day fade

But thirty years and four grown kids
Changed her girlish shape
Still those jeans hung in our closet
In a most prominent place

She dreamt of one day wearing them again
Pouring herself inside them like before
I tried to always reassure her
It’s the woman inside that I adore

Now illness has a way
Of removing unwanted pounds
Though not the way she planned it out
She could fit them on again she found

The quilt we made in her memory 
Has many patches from times in her life
The peace signs on denim pockets
Are the patches that I most like
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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12
Gasun Avatar
March 1, 2014 at 2:03 AM
I enjoyed this excellent poem of yours my dear friend Joe. Thank u so much for sharing and my huge congratulations on your well-deserved win! love and hugs, Leonora
Dietrich Avatar
March 1, 2014 at 1:20 AM
wow, this is a very touching poem, Joe. What a way to do this contest. And a very well deserved win. this is one of the best poems I have seen tonight and I have seen many!!
Seal Avatar
February 27, 2014 at 7:44 PM
A very moving write Joe, Hold on to those memories, congratulations on your win. Take care, Richard
Torres Avatar
February 27, 2014 at 1:41 PM
Joe...this poem really hit my heart.. :'( .. it deserved a first place, indeed... too soulful!!! ..kudos ..^__^
Kiser Avatar
February 27, 2014 at 3:55 AM
This is a beautiful poem. Congratulations!
A  Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 9:43 PM
Joe, a wonderful win. Congratulations:) Take Care ~SKAT~
Lawless Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Joe, peace has many harbors and it sounds as if you found one. I, too, remember those days, those jeans, those patches. Thank you for sharing so beautifully so delicate a memory.
Goswami Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Nice...Beautiful criticism with poetic justice . Best wishes from India .
Lamoureux Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 9:35 AM
This hurts in a most beautiful way. So sorry for your loss. I feel moved beyond my ability to express. Congratulations and thanks for sharing a peace of love.
Mehta Avatar
February 26, 2014 at 3:41 AM
Congratulations on the fine win. Wonderful write on the peace sign joe
Kayode Avatar
February 25, 2014 at 11:27 PM
Congrats Joe,I'm happy this lovely poem earns its place in the league of poems. Kudos.
Jones Avatar
February 25, 2014 at 10:08 PM
A treasured memory ..priceless....congratulations....
Guzzi Avatar
February 25, 2014 at 7:30 PM
so sad Joe I do hope it's imaginary! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Gildersleeve Avatar
February 25, 2014 at 6:02 PM
Joe a heartfelt and bittersweet poem. When my father passed on, I wanted to take all his ties and make a lap quilt, but before I could collect them all a family member tossed them in the trash. I'll alway have him in my heart though. I'm so happy you've shared this poem and it placed as a win. Congratulations! Connie
Macmillan Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 10:37 PM
AH, Joe, You sucked me right into this poem--and punched me in the gut. Congrats on a well deserved win. Peace to YOU- Cyndi
Dufresne Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Awesome Joe in lots of ways. congratulations to you
Kendrick Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Very emotive work that is in the winners' circle..Enjoyed..Sara
Brown Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Congratulations on your win in Nette's "Jeans" contest Joe. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 9:40 AM
Dear Joe, this is very touching. Many of us want to get thin and cling to hope we'll fit into clothes from our youth. (Still have an old denim jacket bought when I was 16.) But illness is not the way we want to reach this goal. I remember the peace signs and your poem took me back in time to those days of peacenicks. Congratulations on your win with this outstanding poem! Love, Carolyn
Phookan Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 8:23 AM
I was so entranced reading this poem, I forgot what I came here for..Congrats Joe!!
Phookan Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Joe this has to be 'my favourite' in this contest..My! to love someone so..huggs to you dear poet, gautami
Mehta Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 6:32 AM
My congratulations on the win in the contest of nette, Joe
Poet Avatar
June 15, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Lovely poem here Joe...congrats on your win.
Johnson Avatar
June 14, 2011 at 10:25 PM
What a sweet and loving poem. Very touching and congratulations Joe. Love, Joyce
Dietrich Avatar
June 14, 2011 at 9:28 PM
JOe this is so bittersweet. I really enjoyed this one. wow, what a great poem. Congratulations on your win.
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