The Rainbow Melts Into Purple

Marian's prompt at Real Toads is the song by Vic Chestnutt ~ Granny. 
 My mother made braided rugs. I loved seeing all our old clothes weaved into a new purpose.


She made braided rugs
to cover the floors.

They were made from
shirts, skirts, and dresses.

No matter the room
each rug was shades of purple.

I asked why she never
chose another color to braid.

She lifted a frail hand to my cheek
and said with a smile

just before a rainbow disappears from the sky
the colors all melt into purple.


©Susie Clevenger 2012

Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
"All colours melt into purple"

Those are beautiful words to remember a mother by. This is such a touching and heart-warming poem - something so special, Susie.
April 6, 2012 at 4:26 AM
Marian said…
oh, susie, this is beautiful! so warm. and i'd like a rug like that, or three, for my house :)
April 6, 2012 at 5:56 AM
Unknown said…
I was initially moved to write about my grandmother in an abstract way. You did the notion justice. Love this. In the end, my words took a different road.
April 6, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Marian said…
gosh i swear i already commented on this. i love this poem, susie! so sentimental, but also brilliant. love!
April 6, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Lolamouse said…
Her words were so beautiful! I wonder if you have any of the purple rugs?
April 6, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh I SO LOVE this!!!!! And love the "all colors fade into purple." Beautiful poem, kiddo!
April 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Daydreamertoo said…
Awww... how wonderful. Such a lovely memory to treasure. She sounds like a wise lady.
April 6, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Ellecee said…
This is such a poignant poem, Susie. I know I seem to overuse the term sometimes but it so often fitting. A beautiful tribute to your Mother. Mine used to braid rugs as well so it also brings back memories.
April 6, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Laurie Kolp said…
How brilliant of your grandma. I have a new respect for the color purple.
April 6, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Mary said…
I love the idea that all colors melt into purple. (Now I know why I like the color.) Your mother was a wise woman.
April 6, 2012 at 7:02 PM
Ella said…
One this is stunning!
It is brilliant and now I want to see more purple~
It has a magical quality!
Well Done
April 6, 2012 at 7:25 PM
Maude Lynn said…
This made me cry. Really lovely poem.
April 6, 2012 at 8:22 PM
Margaret said…
This is a song, a beautiful memory and wise, wise words! I would pay for one of those rugs! Do you have any?
April 7, 2012 at 9:26 AM
Ed Pilolla said…
that action of the hand to the cheek was a touching and colorful close. i love it when i feel something and learn something in a poem.
April 7, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Herotomost said…
That Clevenger girl...yeah, you know her....she writes purple.....and I mean purple. Give her a memory and she'll write you purple.

I love the thought of the colors of the rainbow melting into one and capturing that in a personal passion. Really good Susie.
April 7, 2012 at 7:46 PM
Ravenblack said…
I'll be looking for that purple and thinking of this poem the next time I see a rainbow. Really like this one.
April 9, 2012 at 9:49 PM
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