Corner Pub #2 |
The China Plate |
Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
The China Plate I had a neighbor long ago, Who lived in abject poverty. To see her, you would never know The lady that she used to be. But she remembered in her heart, The gracious life that once was hers And often tried to act the part, Amidst her family's cruel slurs. Her prized possession was a plate. A china plate that still remained, In spite of years a bitter fate Had battered her and slowly drained, The strength and pride that once was part Of who she was.But still she clung To yesterdays and sometimes start The dreams of days when she was young. She'd come to visit and she'd bring The plate to show, quite frequently And tell us how she once would sing In concert halls, then stay for tea. Then one sad day, her youngest came, The china plate clutched to her breast. Her mother died.I spoke her name And prayed that she was now at rest. Her daughter said she thought of me And just before the very end, Requested that her plate would be A final gift, to me, her friend. Betty Lou Hebert Published 1997 in The Sunflower Dream [This message has been edited by Trillium (02-06-2002 05:34 PM).] |
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© Copyright 2002 Betty Lou Hebert - All Rights Reserved | |||
Joyce Johnson
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912Washington State |
This is very sweet and probably a true story. I'm sure you have many loving friends. Love, joyce |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
BettyLou~ Ohhhhhh, this touches me right in my little heart~ After reading it ... I got up and went to my kitchen to 'touch' the bread bowl that came as treasure to me somewhat same way~ A lady I had befriended when she was 90 lived for three more years ... fortunately she was of a generous nature and gave me the bread bowl while she 'could see where it goes'. Thank you for sharing this sweet reminder of my friend, Louise Feuchter. She was a character ... and perhaps I need to write about her~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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ellie LeJeune Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156King of Prussia, PA USA |
This is such a lovely story...sad and poignant..Hugs, Ellie A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails. |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Joyce: This is a true story, but it actually was my grandmother it happened to. I remember her neighbor very well as would visit her when I was at my grandmother's. Her story always hurt my heart! I do have the china plate however, as my grandmother gave it to me shortly before she died. Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
Marge: Thanks for your nice comments. You definitely should write about your friend. How comforting that you have her bread bowl. I have a number of things that dear friends have given me and every time I use one of them, the memories fly around! Betty Lou Hebert |
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Trillium
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098Idaho, USA |
ellie: Thanks for reading and for your nice comments. Betty Lou Hebert |
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