Island girl now of Purley
at youth shielded from Rock N Roll
she remembers the Supremes
Kick start those autumn leaves
You're a pillar of an ancient profession
This is no ruse
just plain thoughtfulness
You've handled my feet with perfection
you've bandaged my shin
always to the best of your ability
Women in my family
were immigrants, as history records.
Grandmother Rosamond was born in Italy.
Marceline was French and traveled from Lourdes.
My mother, Jaqueline, was wed at seventeen.
A city girl who became a young farmer's wife.
Many valuable traits from her, I did glean
as she taught me how to be prepared for life.
I would be terribly remiss if I forget to rave
about one more very important family female,
my sister, Claudette, who taught me to be brave.
She said, "Get up and try again each time you fail."
June 16, 2022
Women in my family poetry contest
Sponsored by Sotto Poet