Her essence in scraps of paper

HER ESSENCE

After she was gone
I found scraps of paper
everywhere.
Each piece torn
from whatever was at hand
when thoughts possessed her mind,
or touched her heart.
Little reminders
jotted down when senses
stirred her to capture
a piece of beauty
or a fragment of emotion.
Words, phrases, ideas
upon which she would
later elaborate.
Drawing from those small
scraps, pages of stirring
discourse that could make
one lose himself
in laughter, or touch
one’s heart to tears.
Those bits of written
emotion reflect how she
found beauty in everything,
and she comes alive
in the words
she jotted down
Musing about their value,
I could not destroy them.

In my closet upon a shelf,
there is a candy box
that holds her essence.
It is full of life and love
recorded on scraps of paper,
reminding me of her.
She was a poem.

2/5/93 Phyllis DeWitt-VanVleck

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Way back when-

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

 

Was the taste of life sweeter

When I was just a kid

I believe there was more pleasure

In the simple things we did

 

Candy was more delicious

Than today, anywhere

And ice cream was a great treat

Because it was so rare

An orange in our Christmas sock

Was a very tasty treat

All of the oranges since that time

Could never taste as sweet

 

Toys were very simple then

Of wood, and metal, too

And they were really treasured

Because there were so few

A wooden top and marbles

A simple checker set

A composition baby doll

That didn’t even wet

 

I don’t recall getting bored

Like children of today

We always made our own fun

When we wished to play

There was Hopscotch and Jump-rope

And, of course, Hide and Seek

A continuous game of “You’re It”

Which carried on all week

 

Old inner-tubes were treasured

And the source of great fun

When cut into rubber bands

For a handmade wooden gun

There were roller skate scooters

Tin can walking-cleats

And wooden stilts for the brave

All, for childish feats

 

I’d like to step back in time

And greet it with a smile

Reliving joys of childhood

For just a little while

 

3/11/89    Phyllis DeWitt VanVleck

 

2’nd … Indiana NPD 1999

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Memories of Christmas Past

    CHRISTMAS PAST

 

If I could journey back in time

To Christmas of my past,

I’d gather up the happiness

And hold it very fast.

 

We didn’t have a lot back then,

But we were unaware

That others had more than us,

For we had much to share.

 

Each Christmas was a busy time

With many things to do,

And I look back in fondness,

Remembering just a few:

 

Making stars and paper chains

To compliment our tree,

Checking out our window panes

For frost etched tracery,

 

Hanging bread and suet balls

On branches that were bare,

Watching snowflakes coat the trees

As birds sought shelter there,

 

Running out,, all bundled up,

Enjoying winter’s gifts,

Snow-angels made by each of us,

And sliding down big drifts.

 

We’d all go in, after fun,

And have a special treat –

Hot cocoa near the old wood stove,

While warming hands and feet.

 

Beautiful carols filled the air,

Prompting us to sing.

There were gifts in colored tissue,

Tied with cotton string.

 

Mama’s words as she kissed us

And hugged us very tight,

“You’ve all been such good children,

Santa will come tonight.”

 

Then snuggling down under quilts,

Listening for Santa’s sleigh,

And drifting off in dream-filled sleep

‘Til early Christmas day.

 

Awaking to threadbare stockings,

Stirring children’s joy …

Filled with oranges, candy, and nuts,

And a small ten-cent toy.

 

Under the tree, for Sis and I,

Were dolls that Mama dressed.

Each piece of clothing sewn by hand,

Then each piece neatly pressed.

 

Big brother received a nice game

And strings for his guitar.

Little brother got marbles

And a cast iron car.

 

We could ask for no improvement

Of such heart-warming joy,

For we were more than satisfied

With candy and a toy.

 

If I could paint such memories

To help make them last,

I’d view them with a little smile

Each time that I walked past.

 

 

12/18/89      Phyllis DeWitt-VanVleck

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