Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PATCHWORK QUIZ, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER Poet's Biography First Line: In sheen of silken splendor Last Line: When mother dear was there. Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs. Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Clothing & Dress; Family Life; Fashion; Mothers; Quilts; Relatives | ||||||||
IN sheen of silken splendor, With glinting threads of gold, I've seen the priceless marvels Once hung in halls of old, Where fair hands wrought the lily, And brave hands held the lance, And stately lords and ladies Stepped through the courtly dance. I've looked on rarer fabrics, The wonders of the loom, That caught the flowers of summer, And captive held their bloom; But not their wreathing beauty, Though fit for queens to wear, Can with one household treasure, That's all my own, compare. It has no golden value, The simple patchwork spread, Its squares in homely fashion Set in with green and red; But in those faded pieces For me are shining bright, Ah! many a summer morning, And many a winter night. The dewy breath of clover, The leaping light of flame, Like spells my heart come over, As one by one I name These bits of old-time dresses Chintz, cambric, calico That looked so fresh and dainty On my darlings long ago. This violet was mother's; I seem to see her face, That ever like a sunrise Lit up the shadiest place. This buff belonged to Susan; That scarlet spot was mine; And Fannie wore this pearly white, Where purple pansies shine. I turn my patchwork over A book with pictured leaves And I feel the lilac fragrance, And the snow-fall on the eaves. Of all my heart's possessions, I think it least could spare The quilt we children pieced at home When mother dear was there. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MY AUNT ELLA MAE by MICHAEL S. HARPER THE GOLDEN SHOVEL by TERRANCE HAYES LIZARDS AND SNAKES by ANTHONY HECHT THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND EYES: I LOVE by LYN HEJINIAN CHILD ON THE MARSH by ANDREW HUDGINS MY MOTHER'S HANDS by ANDREW HUDGINS PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS THE GLASS HAMMER by ANDREW HUDGINS INSECT LIFE OF FLORIDA by LYNDA HULL ARE THE CHILDREN AT HOME? by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER |
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