Once a month, I meet with writers at Harwood Place retirement living center, and every so often I get to share one of their stories. Today, I’m excited to introduce Betty Sydow.
Because last month was National Poetry Month, I asked the writers to come to this month’s class with a poem.
Betty is known for bringing in wonderful short fiction, stories about an eclectic group of folks living in an old apartment building. But, turns out, she’s an excellent poet at well.
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Then and Now, Sweet Treats
By Betty Sydow
Then
Pastel candy dots
On a paper strip.
Pink Double Bubble lumps
Twisted in a comic.
Licorice whips, jaw breakers, red hot hearts.
Sugary cigarettes
With bright lighted tips.
Gum drop reptiles,
Malted milk balls.
Wax ruby lips and vampire teeth.
Three pennies in my pocket.
This will take a while.
Now
Chocolate truffles,
Macadamia nuts.
Pecan turtles,
Petit fours.
Chocolate covered cherries and creamy fudge bars.
Marzipan fruit,
Mint melt aways.
White chocolate drops
And crunchy fairy food.
Bittersweet chocolate almond bark.
Plastic in my wallet.
I’ll pay tomorrow.
This is so awesome, Christi – thanks for sharing. I want to talk to you sometime about the work you do at Harwood Place and the like…
Thanks again, and thanks through you to Betty, too.
Karen
Oh my goodness! Betty’s poem is WONDERFUL. I’d love to see it in a published collection. Please tell her that she made my day, and that she now has a fan in Kentucky!
I will, Beth. And I’d love to see it published, too. That’s one of our goals this year — get some of their pieces out to a larger audience.
What a treat, wonderful!
I’m coming late, but love the poem. And now I’m hungry…
“This will take a while.” My favorite line 🙂