Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY GRANDMOTHER'S [TURKEY-TAIL] FAN, by SAMUEL MINTURN PECK Poet's Biography First Line: It owned not a color that vanity dons Last Line: My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. Subject(s): Fans; Grandparents; Grandmothers; Grandfathers; Great Grandfathers; Great Grandmothers | ||||||||
IT owned not a color that vanity dons Or slender wits choose for display; Its beautiful tint was a delicate bronze, A brown softly blended with gray. From her waist to her chin, spreading out without break, 'Twas built on a generous plan: The pride of the forest was slaughtered to make My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. For common occasions it never was meant: In a chest between two silken cloths 'Twas kept safely hidden with careful intent In camphor to keep out the moths. 'Twas famed far and wide through the whole country side, From Beersheba e'en unto Dan; And often at meeting with envy 'twas eyed, My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. Camp-meetings, indeed, were its chiefest delight. Like a crook unto sheep gone astray It beckoned backsliders to re-seek the right, And exhorted the sinners to pray. It always beat time when the choir went wrong, In psalmody leading the van. Old Hundred, I know, was its favorite song My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. A fig for the fans that are made nowadays, Suited only to frivolous mirth! A different thing was the fan that I praise, Yet it scorned not the good things of earth. At bees and at quiltings 'twas aye to be seen; The best of the gossip began When in at the doorway had entered serene My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. Tradition relates of it wonderful tales. Its handle of leather was buff. Though shorn of its glory, e'en now it exhales An odor of hymn-books and snuff. Its primeval grace, if you like, you can trace: 'Twas limned for the future to scan, Just under a smiling gold-spectacled face, My grandmother's turkey-tail fan. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...KISS GRANDMOTHERS GOOD NIGHT by ANDREW HUDGINS KICKING THE LEAVES by DONALD HALL THE BOOK OF SCAPEGOATS by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM THE GREAT GRANDPARENTS by TED KOOSER MY LITTLE GIRL by SAMUEL MINTURN PECK |
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