December 10, 2020

I was looking at my Grandmother Jones' information on Family Search and found where I had posted her poignant poem about feeding one of her children (my dad was one of four) and her compassion for mothers who didn't have enough food for their little ones. It touched my heart as I really didn't know her that well since she died when I was 9 years old and since it might touch yours as well, I decided to post it.

                                                            Feast with Tears

A tender poem written by my paternal Grandmother Elma Faye Barr  (Jones )who lived from 1889-1960. She was a Methodist Minister’s wife and had four children…three boys and a girl. 

You moor your midget ship and on brown feet,

You run to me for something good to eat. 

There is cool milk, sweet butter for your bread,

Thick marmalade and apples - sunned and red.

I have brown meat to slice, and fragrant broth;

There is a feast to lay on red checked cloth!

I glance into your lifted, eager face

And fight with tears before I take my place.

Because, small son, I fancy how it would feel 

If I were to tell you I could set no meal;

How can they bear it, women who must say,

“Be still my child, there is no bread today.”