Pearl

Sitting on a park bench
and taking in the view,
she's always got an eye out
for the children, me and you,
pestering our parents
with a grumble or a pout. 

We cluster all around her,
we call her 'Auntie Pearl,'
to listen to her stories of
when she was just a girl;
tales of pinafores and mittens,
lovely hats for Sunday best,
patent leather shoes and stockings,
turning out so smartly dressed!     

There were picnics and fun times
down by the river when they'd walk
two miles or more learning their rhymes.
Riding in a carriage pulled by
horses up and down the street,
calling at a neighbour's house -
there'd always be a treat!

Taking presents to the homeless
the day after Christmas Day,
helping those who didn't have much
food to eat, or games to play.
She told us, "Listen to your folks
and grow up big and strong,
help others when you have the chance,
and greet them with a song."

One Saturday she didn't come to take her usual seat. 
We kids all clamoured:"Where's Aunt Pearl?" 
she made our day complete. Moms said: 
"She's telling stories to the angels now, it's true. 
She loves you all and she is watching over you."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Mac Donald Avatar
December 8, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Hey to you, Keith! This is a sweet poem.:) It's wonderful when we've had someone such as your "Aunt Pearl", to grace our lives. Bonds that will always be cherished by ourselves. For me it was my grandma, "Have Cup, Will Travel"..she always brought her own china cup and saucer with her..hehe This is the time when the 'gingolai' passes door to door here...I'll have to say that giving has always been the tinsel on our Christmas'. Take care, be well...God bless you and yours! Love, Mikki
Gorelick Avatar
December 8, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Hope every child has someone like this in their life. What a difference it makes. This is a beautiful poem..off to my favs .BG
Thomas Avatar
December 8, 2008 at 8:44 AM
This one brought a real tear to my eye. Wonderful sweet story! Thank you for the suggestion you made... I couldn't stop thinking about what you said about "Fireside." The more I thought about it, the more I thought you were right. I changed "sunshine" to "starshine" and I wonder if you might give it another read to see if you think it's better. I think it still captures the feeling of fire that I wanted (I felt like the moon was too cold) without contrasting too much with the cold night.~Juliane
Richards Avatar
December 8, 2008 at 6:37 AM
What a wonderful poem, about a wonderful lady named Pearl. Such a lovely tribute, and heartwarming poem. Who can be sad after reading this account of a wonderful life she led? ~ Carrie
Reynolds Avatar
December 8, 2008 at 2:46 AM
Oh my, what a beautiful, beautiful tale. I hope with all my heart that, that is a true tale. :) Go Pearl!!! This poem made me miss my Gran so much, now I guess I must post a new pome of her which I was going to hold off on, but after reading this, I must. :) LOVE Auntie Pearl! Love, Kristin
Radford Avatar
December 7, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Oh Keith this is delightful! The nostaligia reminds me of one I wrote called 'My Grandma smelled of Peppermints'. Anyway, yes Spitchwick is indeed a real place; a village on the banks of the River Dart in Devon, and a beautiful spot untouched by the cruelties of the world we live in.
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