Friday, July 27, 2012

Paper Dolls, 1950’s Single Mother


butter she
mixed with sugar
and fed to us
on saltine crackers


we washed it down
with powdered milk
we were poor
we were rich
we didn’t know either


until we
went to school
and our dolls of paper,
worthless
to friends whose had
vinyl and mohair
and real clothes,


became priceless
because
she’d made
them all
by hand


for Mom and for Grandma (Elaine Rogers, 1926 – 2010)
Copyright 2012 Jennifer Wagner
added to The Poetry Pantry

36 comments:

Janet Martin said...

Priceless for sure! Tender tribute...I love the second stanza.

Scarlet said...

I like how you painted her with her actions, food and dolls...all priceless and precious after all ~

Lovely share ~

Wendy Bourke said...

A lovely, perfect poem. One of those sweet prickly things that starts with a bit of an ache when we are young. And then, time passes, and - and we become women - and it becomes a celebration of one of the many reasons we are - who we are.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks Janet!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you, Heaven :)

Jennifer Wagner said...

I couldn't have said it better myself Doodles. Thank you!

Claudia said...

wow..love this...better a paper doll made by hand and with love than a super-expensive vinyl and mohair doll..priceless indeed

Brian Miller said...

we were poor
we were rich
we didnt know either...smiles...that sums it up well right there...life was simple, i can relate growing up....and then the comparison....ugh i wish it was not like that...

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

The first stanza reminds me so much of my great-grandmother, who knew abject poverty in Germany as a child. I think that's why, as an adult in the U.S., she finished every meal--yes, even breakfast--with a piece of bread and butter sprinkled with sugar. Thank you for jogging my memory.

Daydreamertoo said...

We were dirt poor too. My mum had six of us to try to feed and it wasn't ever easy. We didn't have too much but, we didn't know how poor we were until we saw what all the other kids had but, our mother loved us and as a child who needs to have that most of all, we were rich too.
What a lovely read and, it's a wonderful tribute to your mother and grandmother. :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

A single mom who makes paper dolls by hand to provide for her kids.....that's what moms do, isnt it? This is lovely, so poignant. Her love made you richer than the other kids ever were.

Kerry O'Connor said...

You have captured the hardships of growing up poor, and the tireless self-sacrifice of those who provide love and warmth for their children - a gift beyond the possessions acquired by wealthier people. This is a wonderful tribute.

Janine Bollée said...

The paper dolls speak to me too: mine were flat with paper outfits you could hang on them. Rich? Rich in love and attention.
aprille.me

Jennifer Wagner said...

Better, yes. Thank you Claudia!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Me too, and yet sometimes that is how we learn the true value of things. Thank you Brian!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks for sharing her story. I love to hear those remembrances. Thanks for commenting Magical!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Indeed rich in love is much better than rich in any other thing. Thank you for stopping by and for sharing a bit of your story Daydreamertoo.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Yes, my mom learned some things from growing up this way that illustrate meaning in life. Thank you Sherry, I appreciate your comment.

Unknown said...

Lovely and sentimental, this speaks of appreciation earned through challenge and love.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks Kerry. A costlier gift at times. I appreciate your visit!

Jennifer Wagner said...

And more valuable in memory. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my post aprille!

PhotoDiction said...

I love how the simplicity of a toil out of love provides a richness that store-bought items can never have. Nicely done.

J Cosmo Newbery said...

It can often take us a while to see the true value of things.

Cotali said...

I love this. Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Kim, kind of you to comment--thank you very much!

Jennifer Wagner said...

I appreciate that as well--thank you so much for commenting Photo!

Jennifer Wagner said...

It can, yes. I appreciate your visit J!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Cotali- glad you do, thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

Setting up the contrast involving school and dolls via food was an effective strategy. Well-built stuff!

Serena said...

This is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. For me it was Barbie Dolls and her clothes my mother couldn't afford, so I got some kind of knock-off doll and she knitted the clothes for me, lots of them, and they were so precious and special. Your poem reminded me and created a precious connection to that memory. Thanks so much.

Laura Maria said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! Things that are made with love and have thought are of more value than that which money can buy. Excellent writing!

jossina said...

that's as lovely as the love recognized.

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thanks for commenting Jack :)

Jennifer Wagner said...

Thank you Serena, I'm glad it connected with you. And thanks for sharing your memories!

Jennifer Wagner said...

Laura, kind compliments--thank you very much :-)

Jennifer Wagner said...

jossina- thank you very much--glad you stopped by.