“The Red and White Gingham Blanket” – a poem by Isabel Urban
A red and white gingham blanket
Is sewn by a young woman
As the classical music
Drifts through the open window.
A red and white gingham blanket
Wraps around a newborn
As the sounds of the world
Are drowned out by his infectious laugh.
A red and white gingham blanket
Ties around a young boy like a cape
As the children play
With no worry in the world.
A red and white gingham blanket
Hosts two young lovers
As the river
Kisses the bare stones.
A red and white gingham blanket
Rests on a pullout table
As the world claps
For new love.
A red and white gingham blanket
Warms a dying man
As the sickness
Overwhelms his fighting body.
A red and white gingham blanket
Lowers into the ground
As the sobs rush
Into the grave.
Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash
Mr. Belanger • Feb 15, 2021 at 11:50 AM
I particularly like the progression of the images you offer – it gives the poem movement and direction. Nicely done!
Darren Belanger • Feb 11, 2021 at 8:11 PM
The story you tell here!
The language and pacing is super cool, and the repetition emphasizes the snapshots of life that the blanket is a part of. We are all blankets to each others’ lives; we enter and exit each others’ lives and hopefully make it a fun time!
ava chase • Feb 11, 2021 at 4:22 PM
izzy this is spectacular. wow. i LOVE the “as the river
Kisses the bare stones” lines, such a brilliant way to describe that phenomenon.