Ode to a Quilt with a Memory
"Here's a quilt," she said,
"To keep you warm." As the winter winds Blew up a storm. "It's just an old quilt; Ragged, and faded, and gray." "But that quilt has a past," I mused, As I snuggled beneath it that day. I thought of my youth, Of a Reservation and Of people far away. Grandma Blue Legs and Jenny Dark Face Rounded a craggy hill. They called my name, I quickly came, To answer their signal at will. "Here's a quilt," they said. "To keep you warm As the winter nights grow cold." |
"We made it for you."
"Do you like it?" they asked. From faces so wrinkled and old. "You must have our name Since to us you belong With your youth, your smile, and your song." "Wanáȟča Wašté Wiŋ!" "You bring us good cheer. We're so glad you are here." "Pretty Flower Girl, sing us a song." So I sang them a song, I prayed with them, too. With their children I romped and I played. Four years later I left - with my quilt as a gift - For 52 years these memories have stayed. Marian Edna Brannan Glessner circa 1992 |