Thanks To Aunt Katie
Expectantly and nervously
I sought an empty chair.
Cousins I hadn’t seen for years
Were already gathered there.
We had come to hear the reading
Of Great Aunt Katie’s final will.
She had been left a wealthy widow
By my mama’s Uncle Bill.
We’d heard throughout the long years
That our Uncle Bill was loaded.
He was growing richer every day
Until his heart exploded.
Aunt Katie retreated from us
After Uncle Bill had died.
We heard that she was sorrowing
And every day she cried.
The lawyer cleared his husky throat
Before he began the reading.
He spoke to a captive audience,
Which every word was heeding.
I heard my name and was surprised
At the very princely sum
I would receive conditionally….
The conditions yet to come.
When the lawyer finished reading
All the bequests to the heirs,
He told them the conditions
Before inheritance was theirs.
Each would be given money
To be used for one in need.
We’d have to wait for our bequests
Until we’d finished our good deed.
It was not to go to a charity
Or individual that we’d known.
The money must go to someone
Who was struggling on his own.
As the daughter of two teachers,
I thought it might be fine
To seek out a worthy student
To fulfill this task of mine.
The school principal was happy
To tell me of a worthy lad
Who was struggling in his schooling
Without help from Mom and Dad.
He’d won a scholarship for high grades
But it wouldn’t be enough
To pay all of his expenses.
And it would be mighty tough
To keep up with his studies
In between his work and sleep.
I awarded twenty-five thousand,
Bargain with Aunt Kate to keep.
The young man is now the owner
Of an enviable degree,
And a job in his profession
With a future that’s debt free.
He says he’ll pay it forward
And I hope he surely will
In gratitude to our Aunt Katie
And her husband, Uncle Bill.
For contest
Help the Needy contest Won 2nd place
Copyright © Joyce Johnson | Year Posted 2011
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment