Lamplight

Sleepless nights from worry and terrible despair
Who could she turn to, someone who would care.
He had died and left her with the two little girls they had
She missed her loving husband and they missed their dad.
No money in the bank or in the sugar bowl
She had to think hard and act extremely bold.
A quilt she would sew fit for a queen
With brilliant colors of purple, red, gold and green.
She quickly got busy sewing both night and day
It could hold her over til’ she got her welfare pay.
She now knew what to do in her terrible plight
Sewing on her quilt during the day and by lamplight.
She drew a bunch of tickets with numbers properly displayed
Slipped on her shoes and oh God how she prayed.
Knocked on the doors and ask, “Could you buy a ticket please?“
Selling for ten cents each really was a breeze.
When all the tickets that were numbered had been sold
She announced the winner of the quilt sewn with purple, red, green and gold.
How pleased she was as she prepared a meal fit for a king
Taking care of her little girls was such a special thing.
The girls all tucked in bed now with mother by their side
Admiring her little girls with a special mother’s pride.
She became famous for her quilts of purple, red, green and gold
Attached to each hung a label of a story to be told.
Of a lady who’s heart was broken and sewed day and night
Bending over an old machine by the soft lamplight.