M Y . Q U I L T E D . P O E M S

These four poems were written for my grandchildren and the quilts I made them. Viewing the quilts may clarify the meaning of each poem.

All Grandma's buttons here have come to play
On Scots-plaid fields of fabrics oh-so-gay.

With colors red and yellow, green and blue
For you, small creatures true and yet untrue.

Rectangles make a fence then join to build
Connecting squares of childhood days so filled,

Like stained-glass windows of bright games and joys
With soccer balls, French cloths, play hero toys.

Cries Nicky "I no like!" as cannons blow
And runs away when firecrackers flow.

Yet Nicky-Jake so gentle can be bold.
Just watch him ride his bike and kick the cold.

A quilt will cover you with love unsaid,
So keep it always by your sleepy bed.

Sweet Nick, unbutton hugs for me to keep
So Grandma, like you do, can soundly sleep.

Brave Maddie's Mauve Delight
Pale green and creamy white,

Like Woofie's broken leg
Pinwheel's do twist and beg.

Wind-driven on to flight
Mind driven to be bright,

Sharp pins to pivot-churn
Warm breaths to spirit-burn.

Will Maddie find what's right
To earn child's medal bright?

Prolly, love's pinwheels turn
So children learn to learn.

The envelopes are closed,
The messages not said,
The envelopes are op',
The letters yet unread.

Speak now small childing voice,
Speak soon to still our fears.
Speak less with silence still,
And more with rousing cheers.

Fall colors brown and gold,
Red-plum, and yellow-tan
Put silent words to bed
Tell us a merry man.

The envelopes are op',
The letters we will read.
What messages of joy
Your words we all will heed.

For said 'tis true and just
Who only speaks a mite
Is always careful thought
And ever certain right.

Dawn Dragon's late-moon eye
Midst aqua dark and light,
Night blue to day blue sky.

Stars spun and sewn to spite
Three sewn and spun to bind
Charmed triangles missed flight.

Dawn dreams ignite his mind
Dreams forming not yet done,
What will son Harry find?

'Mong flames of morning sun
The truth, no more, no less,
Then 'way fire dreams will run.

No hugs, no soft caress
Though laughter plays as fair
Can put his tears to rest.

"I diver!" claims our Harr,
To play and swim so hard
"I sleepies," cries Harr Bear.

Harr'son, so loved a bard
Sweet dreams to help you fly
Where Dragons wait and guard.

If I was a Penguin
Before I was a child,
My unborn would have nested
Beneath my feathers wild.

But if I was a Kangaroo
Before I was a girl,
My almost would have rested
In velvet like a Pearl.

And if I was a Monkey
Before I was a boy,
My pre-born would have bested
Trees of leafy joy.

Then if I was an Orchid
Before I was a me,
My seedling would have tested
Life's lessons like a pea.

So if I was a Human
And never something more,
I'd still know I was wrested
From souls who'd gone before.

For on my self is written
A note from Her or Him
That first I was a one cell
And then I was a limb

And then I was a swimming fish
And then I was a tree
And then I was a flying bird
and fine'ly I was me.