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They sit behind cupboard doors
invisible
pastel shades of pink, blue, yellow, green
glowing in the dark.
They were my mother’s wedding china
each piece stamped with
its manufacture date: 1939, 1942,
every holiday meal reflected on those blushing plates.
In ‘46 my sister was born
blonde curls, bright eyes
hands getting what they wanted.
I arrived three years later
middle child, second girl
followed by the blessed boy.
Always the black sheep
misbehaving
sneaking cigarettes
climbing out windows
far-removed
never filling parents’ wishes.
But I am the one with the dishes.
From Caught Between Coasts: Collected Poems 1989-2018 (Clover Valley Press, 2018).
Used with permission.
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Jan Chronister, a retired teacher of English and Creative Writing, lives in the woods near Maple, Wisconsin. The author of three chapbooks and two full-length poetry collections, she is serving as president of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets from 2015-2021. Learn more about Jan at www.janchronisterpoetry.wordpress.com.
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Tracers645:
I really like your poem. Thank you for sharing so much. 🤍
Posted 04/12/2021 05:17 PM
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Lori Levy:
Great poem, especially the way it leads up to this ending.
Posted 04/10/2021 03:57 PM
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Janet Leahy:
This poem comes with so many memories, behind my cupboard doors are the family wine glasses, and I love them. Thanks Jan, so good to read your poem. I did not know there was a world sibling day, my only sister died three weeks ago, it feels lonely without her,
Posted 04/10/2021 01:37 PM
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KevinArnold:
Like a world-class gymnast, Jan nailed her dismount.
Posted 04/10/2021 11:57 AM
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MLove:
So perfect for me! I have a sister born in '46 but neither of us was the black sheep! And, neither of us wants the dishes! :-) But loved the poem and was happy to share it with my sisters on World Sibling Day
Posted 04/10/2021 11:47 AM
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Sharon Waller Knutson:
I love this nostalgia poem and I can totally relate to how precious the family heirlooms can be and to the message that you don't have to be a favorite child to inherit the family china and along with it the memories.
Posted 04/10/2021 10:21 AM
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paradea:
This is MY poem, except I'm the one with the 'pinto pot'!!! I love this poem!!
Posted 04/10/2021 09:34 AM
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cork:
No one wants our Aztec Frankoma.
Posted 04/10/2021 09:12 AM
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KateTompkins:
Made me smile.
Posted 04/10/2021 08:32 AM
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Larry Schug:
I have to confess I've always found the order of dishes in cupboards fascinating,so I really like the first verse. The ending is great and what's in between is the story of a life.
Posted 04/10/2021 06:49 AM
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