The Fabric of Two Lives

Sewing machine, long idle, gathered dust
Its turn-of-the-century frame clad in rust

Sitting in the old attic’s dim lighting
It revived memories uninviting

Her dauntless spirit still seemed to be there
Helen, hard at work in her wicker chair

The bobbin spun as she pressed the treadle
To mend her husband’s Civil War medal 

The war years seemed like only yesterday
When the North fought in blue, the South in gray

Ben had battled Rebel troops at Bull Run
Led by McDowell in hot July sun

Hope was extinguished in a young girl’s heart
The first time she and Ben had been apart

He was one of thousands with no grave mark 
The candle sputtered, spent, and all was dark






*April 28, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
June 16, 2018 at 9:26 AM
So much expressed in your captivating and poignant poem of a dark and dreadful time in our nation's history, Carolyn. Beautifully intimate emotional and atmospheric imagery adorn your superb write. An excellent title crowns your glorious write as well. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Juman Avatar
June 16, 2018 at 2:56 AM
excellent
Sands Avatar
June 12, 2018 at 5:58 PM
This poem is deep reaching! Excellent. Congratulations :)
Poteet Avatar
May 11, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Very well done, Carolyn, salutations on your placement. Excellent working of the lines within the web of your scenario. I particularly like lines 15 and 16.
Halliday Avatar
May 4, 2018 at 2:57 PM
Poignant! Very well done. Thanks for commenting on my piece. Mark
Dietrich Avatar
May 4, 2018 at 12:01 AM
Carolyn, this was excellent work that I had liked so much the first time I saw it. Congratulations. I'm just gonna do Soup and avoid emails till school next week!
Rodrigues Avatar
May 3, 2018 at 10:46 PM
Congrats, Carolyn!
George   Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 9:22 PM
This touch my heart, Carolyn. Especially the line: He was one of thousand with no grave mark. Many congrats on your win. Lainie.
Johnson Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 3:35 PM
Glad to find you here Caroline. I really like the two line rhyme you used and yours went back to the Civil War to be different. Love, Joyce
Allison Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Many congratulations on your win Carolyn I am glad I'm reading these poems in batches as they are so sad:-) hugs Jan xx
Gentry Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 10:34 AM
Congratulations on your win with this well-written poem. Enjoyed.
Gondolf Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 8:19 AM
Hi Carolyn, back to say congrats on your win. John
Gauthier Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 7:06 AM
Back with congrats on your win, Carolyn.
Sathasivam Avatar
May 2, 2018 at 1:31 AM
Excellent. Very well crafted. Best if luck.
Smith Avatar
May 1, 2018 at 10:48 AM
Great poem and wonderful use of metaphor
George   Avatar
April 30, 2018 at 12:12 PM
Sure to top the winner's list, Carolyn.
Warrior Avatar
April 30, 2018 at 7:10 AM
Very well crafted my friend...great read and best of luck...stay in the light...^WW^
Dietrich Avatar
April 29, 2018 at 7:30 PM
Yes, I just had to write of walnut trees. I am not a big fruit lover. I like my fruits NUTTY!
Dietrich Avatar
April 29, 2018 at 7:30 PM
wow, Carolyn, you MET the challenge and beautifully. VERY WELL DONE!
Horsman Avatar
April 29, 2018 at 7:45 AM
Oh Carolyn, you've just blown away the opposition.
Vaso Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 9:12 PM
This is so creative, love these types of poems!! :)
Sergi Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 5:31 PM
I just loved this historical version of your poem. It has been interesting to see how this theme has so many insights.
Devonshire Avatar
April 29, 2018 at 5:44 PM
The Civil War was, perhaps, the saddest time in my nation's history. It often pitted brother against brother as all were forced to choose sides. Thanks, Ralph
Callus Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Yours is an excellent take on the prompts suggested by the sponsor, Carolyn. In my eyes it's one of the best entries I have read so far. No need to wish you luck, though some luck is always appreciated:) Love & Hugs // paul
Devonshire Avatar
April 29, 2018 at 5:42 PM
I was inspired by my grandmother Helena, a seamstress. She gave her old treadle-operated sewing machine to me and I learned the craft. Thanks for your kind comments, Paul. Hugs, carolyn
Michael Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 4:21 PM
This is wonderful...A moment in time...imagery, emotions, personalities, it bubbles with the truth...Nice one...
Gondolf Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 3:37 PM
What a great entry for the contest, Carolyn, I love the history that you brought into it as well. Best of luck. John
Devonshire Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 3:59 PM
Thanks, John. I heard that more Americans were killed in the Civil War than in any other war we fought. So sad to fight our own people...
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