Widow Ladies

Stitching their quilt with small remnants of silk

The widow ladies piece each one to piece

They make no time for dwelling on spilt milk

Putting in practice everything they teach

Gathering at the work bench for their tea

Changing the subject to more pressing things

Like needlepoint and fine embroidery.

They all have long laid down their wedding rings

No longer dressed in black or ebon lace.

To show their grief they did not disregard

The etiquette which was observed with grace

Responding to every sympathy card

Condolences received but then the past

Is not belabored with so much to do

And occupied now with the things that last

They know what each other has suffered through.