Theresa Martha's firm but slender hands So lightly held the yarn at her spinning wheel; Caressing long the fine revolving strands, She wound her daily stint on whirling reel. She sang and drew the threads to their rightful place To fashion wool for use, she often said, Or something of beauty as rare and fragile lace, Then sniffed her glowing oven's fragrant bread. Theresa Martha's tender youthful dream Was woven like the cloth by wick and fire. Her plan had threads of rose, a shining gleam, "For life has pattern," she mused, "if kept entire." With faith and careful strength she spun reserve, And wove with song her gentleness and verve. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: STATE'S ATTORNEY FALLAS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS CONTRA MORTEM: THE STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH A TIME TO DANCE by CECIL DAY LEWIS AFTER WRITING A POEM by DAVID IGNATOW MARTHA WASHINGTON by SIDNEY LANIER SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: COLUMBUS CHENEY by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: EDITH CONANT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |