Monday, April 07, 2008

Aunt

[Read Write Poem challenged us this week to write about family - specifically an aunt.]



Aunt

I don't remember Aunt Lucy,
my great-aunt, sister of my grandma.
The family called her Lucy and Lucile,
though her birth certificate
called her Jessie Lucile.

I heard stories of Aunt Lucy,
how she called my mother "Midge"
when mom was a kid,
when they shared a bedroom
in that house on the hill.

Her sisters spoke of Aunt Lucy,
and how she would have
been tickled by me,
usually when I did something
particularly clever.

They told me about Aunt Lucy,
and I know we would have loved
to share desserts, especially
those with whipped cream.
They teased me that I was like her,
and that she would have eaten
a corn-cob if it had whipped cream on it.

I don't remember Aunt Lucy
though she met me before she died.
My mom made sure of that,
taking the infant me to her hospital,
where I'm told she was charmed.

I never knew Aunt Lucy,
but I wish I had.



16 comments:

gkgirl said...

i liked reading
the little details
you have picked up
about your aunt
and isn't it funny
what sticks in people's mind
about other people...

i really enjoyed this.

Anonymous said...

You did not meet her. But she lives in your heart!

wicked witch

sister AE said...

thanks, gkgirl,

Hello, Gautami. I hadn't thought about it that way, but you are right!

Jessica said...

This is quite lovely. Nice remembrance!

Linda Jacobs said...

I like how you say you didn't know Aunt Lucy but then you show how you really did. By knowing yourself, you know her!

Anonymous said...

A lovely little tribute to Aunt Lucy... no doubt she loved it as well!
:)

sister AE said...

Hi, Jessica. Thanks.

Hi, Linda. Neat trick, huh? Thanks.

And thanks to you, too, reginaclarejane.

L said...

very sweet.

sister AE said...

Thanks, Leigh

paisley said...

very nice sister.. i liked the fact that you can relate so many facts,, with feeling for someone you have never met.. in her own way she has influenced your life....

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am just loving this "Aunts" prompt. I've read so many warm and wonderful poems. I really liked the picture you painted of Aunt Lucy. The stories we hear really tie us to our roots. Thanks for sharing yours.

sister AE said...

Thanks, paisley.

Hello, Melanie. I'm glad you like it.

Deb said...

What a splendid take on the prompt!

sister AE said...

thanks, ...deb. But what a nice prompt!

Clare said...

You painted such a vivid and tender picture of Aunt Lucy -- she sounds like she was a really sweet person.
:)

sister AE said...

Thanks, Clare.