Melba Louise Jenkins

(Melba was my grandmother)

M elba Louise was as pretty as a girl could be

E legant lady she was Irish and Cherokee

L ovely blond curls adorned her sweet face

B orn on September 18th of 1907

A married lady by time she turned seventeen

 

L onliness came to her when her husband was killed

O n a hot summer day during the Great Depression

U nfortunately she cried as she held him close to her heart

I n her arms he lay dying from a bullet to his side

S he kissed him good-bye as he said "please don't cry

E verything sweetheart will be alright

 

J ust be strong my love and take care of our 3 children"

E verything went dark as he closed his weary eyes

N ow what was she to do, so young to be left a widow

K eeping her promise to his last dying wish she remarried

I n the years that followed she was beat, and children abused

N o one ever spoke about it until this very day for he always

S aid to us kids "Children should be seen and not heard"

Reviews

[Janyce Helen Van Es]

Gee, all your work is soooo depressing. Takes me back a few years to remember my s****y past.

[Just Manoosh]

Now this was art. You managed to get a whole complete story in such few lines.

An incredible talent.

Mx

[Silent Kim aka mizmetap..]

Wow! you have a dictionary of words in the head of your, they just keep flowing out. Save some for the rest of us why don't you? Smile. Another well written write.

[Carole]

I love how you told the story of your grandmother in another acrostic poem. Deb, you are good at these. I need to try one of these days. I love how you are branching out in so many different areas. It shows your talent as a writer. This is a sad story about your grandmother.

S aid to us kids "Children should be seen and not heard" (Have heard this so many times before, and I think it is absurd.) Kids really didn't have a life back then. I am all for respect, but this bordered on abuse in itself. Kids must have suppressed everything back then...

I n her arms he lay dying from a bullit to his side *(bullet)*

Great acrostic, Deb! Carole

[Pointblank]

I grew up with that same line of teaching. I understand it but dont like it much. As for your writing...you have a special talent for this style and always make it remarkable to read. Thank You for sharing it with me. What women had to endure for the sake of thier children is amazing sometimes. Those times were hard living.

[Laura E. Aranda]

Thank you for asking me to come view another one of your pieces.

[a]

So simply written, yet so powerful! I'm astonished and shocked, for this is a very serious poem, a hard theme to talk about. At some level we fear that such tragic events might find us one day, but we fear to speak of them as well. And children must never suffer, adults may understand their ways and purposes, but children will never never find it fare to be beaten and suffering over someone else's issues (step-father's). Again Your poem left me delightfully stunned. I bet this could be turned into a passionate story, because it could give more perspectives to speak even louder. And the construction of the poem is interesting, uncommon. Enjoyed it very much! ;)

[Lyndsay Castro]

Wow. You carry so much inside of you, it's beautiful. The subject matter may be sad, but you manage it with poise and grace, and your poetry emulates that inner strength. I always love your acrostics! They remind me of my mother, who has written a lot of them in her day. Thank you so, so much for sharing.
Hugs!

[Gandré]

aww what an imposant composition! I totally adored your acrostic artistry! This really brought tears to my eyes. Writing about a certain woman to me is also writing for and about all those never mentioned heroes.....mothers, and lovers....honest and loving.....this was absorbing reading... I loved this history component it it, how you mention this. Your grandmother was wonderful...what a tribut to her. she would adore your talent, my dear.

N o one ever spoke about it until this very day for he always

S aid to us kids "Children should be seen and not heard" -------this made the poem, what a clever deep pointe..I am happy that I didn't miss this poem.

[Ray Hamilton]

"Children should be seen and not heard"
I never believed in this rule
If a child has a question or wishes to speak they should be heard
You can teach children manners so they don't interrupt when you are talking
But on the other hand they should be taught
if it is important or someone is doing something to them,
It's OK to interrupt so the parent can address the problem when it is fresh in the Childs mind
At least that's my way of thinking anyway
Well written
Ray