Elegy to a Cardigan

Fresh Finds, Poetry

Elegy to a Cardigan

Katie Frances Hartless

childhood, elegy, memory, napowrimo

What will we do without this cozy and constant reminder of you?

Loving knit by your mother, buttons patiently plopped in.

The songs and stories of multiple generations.

Zipped in with you, a snappy new day begins,

as we roll up our sleeves, put on our play clothes,

take the trolly to the land of make-believe.

But after decades apart, the yarn wears thin.

We miss the comfort of our one-to-one conversations.

The xylophone, the idea that we are at home in our own skin.

We fit, and together we will find ways to thrive.

The sweater that was a hug.

The shrug that gave us each a good feeling.

The cardigan that let us know we were neighbors,

and that someone was glad we were alive.

Cover Art: Awestruck

Mr. Rogers Intro From Across The Ages

It’s Such a Good Feeling

Prompt: Merriam-Webster put together a list of ten words from Taylor Swift songs. Select one (or two) of these words, and write a poem that uses the word as its title. I was able to use cardigan and elegy to create what I hope is this heart-warming poem.

16 responses to “Elegy to a Cardigan”

John

I love this, so fun to read and I’m old enough to remember this man on TV. He was a great man, and a Christian too. I’m sure there are thousands if not many more people who thanked this man in their later years. ❤️😊

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1. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  I’m so glad you liked it, John. I, of course, watched Mr. Rogers. He had that divine spark and he made others feel appreciated. He didn’t shy from the hard conversations, either. I miss him, and I miss him for this new generation as well.
  
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  1. John
    
    That’s wonderful that you watched his show! He did face the tough questions in a very relatable way. Children today would benefit from his wisdom and demeanor, something that is sadly missing today. Honestly, I am so happy that I was born in 1960, I and my friends had a real childhood. 🙏🏻😊
    
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  2. Katie Frances Hartless
    
    Yes, it’s hard to give that same sort of childhood to my own children. I try and they are off screen and outside lots. We have very active imaginations here. I wish it felt safe in schools and neighborhoods. I wish we all felt like neighbors.💜
    
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  3. John
    
    I understand how difficult it would be to impart what you feel onto your babies. The schools today are very sad and dangerous, I feel sad for the children worrying about things we never imagined in those days. The less screen time the better for a child’s mind!
    
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lifelessons

A poem as snug and lovely as its object. So well done, Katie.

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1. lifelessons
  
  Oops.. subject, not objject!!!
  
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2. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  Thank you, Judy. I knew when I saw those two words exactly what I wanted to write about. It was nice because my children watched an episode last night and said they’d like to see more. Such a good feeling. 🙂
  
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msjadeli

❤ ❤ ❤ great poem for a great man and his sweater. Mr. Rogers is an icon of kindness, acceptance, and humaneness.

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1. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  Thank you, Lisa. I really think we need more of this sort of harmony and wisdom. It seems to be vanishing. I appreciate your kind comments very much. 💜
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    You’re welcome, K.
    
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Little Charmer

Brilliant!! 😁🖤

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1. Katie Frances Hartless
  
  Thank you, LC. 💜
  
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  1. Little Charmer
    
    Always welcome my friend ☺️🖤
    
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johnlmalone

delightful: it makes me think of my long departed grandma though she never wore a cardigan — but the general feeling of being loved, hugged, listened to, the magic stories she’d weave —-

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Katie Frances Hartless

Yes. It was just that sort of magic. I think Mr. Rogers made many of his viewers feel loved and that they were one-of-a-kind. I know he made me feel that way, anyway. I’m glad you enjoyed this, John. I appreciate you reading my elegy.

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