Valentine Clearance -- A Poem

My mother, Janice Anne (Quist) Larson, died seven years ago today---the day after Valentine’s Day.  She was 75.  She grew up during the Great Depression and World War II raged during her high school years.  She was valedictorian of her high school class and an incredibly fast and accurate typist, able to type 110 wpm on a manual typewriter with a return carriage. 

She taught second grade on a two year teaching certificate until she married my father and became a farm wife and mother.  She taught me to love books and she taught me to sew and embroider.   

She was widowed at age 37 and struggled with depression for many years.  But she was in her element as a grandmother, and my children were the beneficiaries of her unconditional grandmotherly  love.

As she was dying of emphysema and inoperable heart disease in a nursing home, I wrote this poem, which was later published in an anthology of poetry entitled Whispered Words, edited by Amanda Read, and published by Dogma Publications in 2005:

Valentine Clearance

Beneath the dusty cellophane,

faded ribbon, and

wilted silk rose

Soft-centered chocolates

huddle

in their heart-shaped box

Awaiting their expiration dates.

Still sweet.

I miss you, Mom.

TTFN

LeAnn aka pasqueflower

http://pasqueflowerponderings.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pasqueflower

Image from PetiteCreation featuring 1/12 scale doll house miniature food and accessories: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66680027/heart-shaped-box-of-chocolates-112th