Auction


The fading photograph needed love.
She was sitting, posing, dressed in long regalia,
Fancy feathered hat to match.
Pale, faintly smiling, sad shadowed eyes staring afar.
Clutching a heavily swathed baby close to her breast.

At an auction, she bought an antique set of drawers – a dresser.
Paid more than planned but she was drawn.
At home, with delicate hand she felt the piece all over,
Lovingly.
It was hers, at least while she breathed.
Many times a piece bequeathed
Down a family line.
Between the side of a drawer and the cabinet
She plucked the photograph.
She wanted to cry but couldn’t help but laugh
Through tears.

She gave the lady a name – Gertrude.
She gave the baby a name – Hilda.
She gave the posing house a name – Mill House.
Gertrude’s husband’s name was Frederick
And Frederick owned the mill.
And Frederick beat Gertrude regularly
When business was sliding downhill.

Frederick married Gertrude out of duty
Factory Gertrude was not in his family’s class.
He made her with baby and he was a gent.
A problem, he was not about to pass.
He beat her daily to remove the baby but to no avail.
Although harried, they married.
Hilda was born – but dead.
So Frederick had the photo taken
To prove his fatherhood.
Gertrude buried her baby
Shortly afterwards.

And when, a few months afterwards, Gertrude died,
No one cried. Frederick erased her from his life.
Never did she live. And never was she a true wife.
And the mill became so successful
Life became less stressful …………

To this day …………
When she’d bought this set of drawers
She’d also bought a loaf of bread.
Bakers from the 1800’s.
She held the photo close to her breast.
This was a test.
Gertrude and Hilda.

Or is it she
Who is self possessed?

Dear Rusty,
I loved this piece! I am unfortunately a collector. I love old furniture and I love old portraits. Ah, the mystery of the past fascinates me. So when you add this along with your wonderful talent, it's the best. It is so good to get back to Wondersmith and be inspired again by all of you.
Thanks! By the way, I read it more than once just to study it.
Suzanne

Suzanne

I write for my own benefit rather than any reader. But we all like critique, good or bad.

If it's good or bad, then inspiration is encouragement to improve.

Suzanne - you have been through the wars - now's the time to settle down. Write and take a bite out of this crazy world.

Rusty