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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




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Date: 6/16/2018 9:26:00 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
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Date: 6/16/2018 2:56:00 AM
excellent
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Date: 6/12/2018 5:58:00 PM
This poem is deep reaching! Excellent. Congratulations :)
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Date: 5/11/2018 12:29:00 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.
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Date: 5/4/2018 2:57:00 PM
Poignant! Very well done. Thanks for commenting on my piece. Mark
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Date: 5/4/2018 12:01:00 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!
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Date: 5/3/2018 10:46:00 PM
Congrats, Carolyn!
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Date: 5/2/2018 9:22:00 PM
This touch my heart, Carolyn. Especially the line: He was one of thousand with no grave mark. Many congrats on your win. Lainie.
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Date: 5/2/2018 3:35:00 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
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Date: 5/2/2018 3:09:00 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
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Date: 5/2/2018 10:34:00 AM
Congratulations on your win with this well-written poem. Enjoyed.
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Date: 5/2/2018 8:19:00 AM
Hi Carolyn, back to say congrats on your win. John
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Date: 5/2/2018 7:06:00 AM
Back with congrats on your win, Carolyn.
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Date: 5/2/2018 1:31:00 AM
Excellent. Very well crafted. Best if luck.
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Date: 5/1/2018 10:48:00 AM
Great poem and wonderful use of metaphor
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Date: 4/30/2018 12:12:00 PM
Sure to top the winner's list, Carolyn.
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Date: 4/30/2018 7:10:00 AM
Very well crafted my friend...great read and best of luck...stay in the light...^WW^
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Date: 4/29/2018 7:30:00 PM
wow, Carolyn, you MET the challenge and beautifully. VERY WELL DONE!
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Date: 4/29/2018 7:30:00 PM
Yes, I just had to write of walnut trees. I am not a big fruit lover. I like my fruits NUTTY!
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Date: 4/29/2018 7:45:00 AM
Oh Carolyn, you've just blown away the opposition.
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Date: 4/28/2018 9:12:00 PM
This is so creative, love these types of poems!! :)
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Date: 4/28/2018 5:31:00 PM
I just loved this historical version of your poem. It has been interesting to see how this theme has so many insights.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 4/29/2018 5:44:00 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
Date: 4/28/2018 4:38:00 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
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 4/29/2018 5:42:00 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
Date: 4/28/2018 4:21:00 PM
This is wonderful...A moment in time...imagery, emotions, personalities, it bubbles with the truth...Nice one...
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Date: 4/28/2018 3:37:00 PM
What a great entry for the contest, Carolyn, I love the history that you brought into it as well. Best of luck. John
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 4/28/2018 3:59:00 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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Book: Shattered Sighs