Treasures In Her Heart

1996 COPYRIGHT
BY PETER CHRISTOPHER RAYMOND

THE YEAR OF THE DROUGHT WHEN THE HARVEST WAS SCORCHED
SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND STOOD ON THE PORCH
AND WATCHED HIM AS HE LABORED IN THE FIELD
SHE CAME OUT AND HUGGED HIM AND COOKED HIM A MEAL
THEY HOLD MEMORIES OF THE DAY THEY WERE WED
OF THEIR LOVE TOGETHER AND THE LIFE THEY'VE LED
TO HIM HER SKIN IS CREAMY PURE AND HER HAIR LIKE SOFT FEATHERS
AND SHE STILL CARESSES THE FACE WHICH HAS TURNED TO LEATHER
HER SIGHT CAN CONJURE UP THE COOLNESS OF THE RIVER
INSPIRING THE POETRY HE'LL PREPARE AND PERSONALLY DELIVER

HER HEALING EMBRACE IS A TENDER TENT OF SILK
AND HER SWEETLY TONED VOICE HAS THE SMOOTHNESS OF MILK
HER KITCHEN IS WARM FROM THE BREAD AND CAKES SHE BAKES
PREPARED WITH SUCH LOVE THAT IT FILLS THOSE WHO PARTAKE
SHE CALMS TRIBULATION AND SOOTHES ALL TRAUMA
ALWAYS EVERYONE'S SISTER AND EVERYONE'S MOMMA
GENTLY WASHING ALL OUR WOUNDS UNDER THE TAP
READING FROM STORYBOOKS WITH A CHILD IN HER LAP
MENDING A SWEATER OR BRAIDING SOMEONE'S HAIR
OR CARRYING THE SLEEPING BABY UP THE STAIR

ON CHRISTMAS EVE WHEN LIGHTS BEAM IN THE WINDOWS
AND HIS HEAD IS CRADLED IN A SOFT WHITE PILLOW
SHE'LL BEND DOWN AND PLANT A KISS ON HIS CHEEK
AND IN A WHISPERY VOICE SHE'LL LOVINGLY SPEAK
SHE'LL THANK HIM FOR THE PRECIOUS YEARS HE'S DEVOTED
AND WHILE THEIR MEMORIES ARE NOT CANDY-COATED
ALONG THE WAY SOME DREAMS HAVE BEEN FORSAKEN
YET EVERY DAY THEIR LASTING LOVE WOULD AWAKEN
THEN AS SNOW FALLS AND HOUSELIGHTS GROW DIM
TREASURES IN HER HEART SHE'LL LIE DOWN WITH HIM