Wednesday’s New Verse News: WHEN MY GRANDSON LEARNS ABOUT JIMMY CARTER
by Jane Patten
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But for a photo Neither of you will remember That day in front of Maranatha Baptist Church— He, because he had held so many babies, And you were one of many in Such a long and layered life. And you, because you were so new That your life was in the moment. But we others there rejoiced How he reached out to hold you, The aged hands against your soft ones, His white hair in contrast to your brown, His wide smile at your Wide eyes. You did not know then How we traveled down the Georgia roads Of open fields and flatter ground Just to hear him teach And to shake his hand, Or that that this elder holding you Had made each numbered day In a long life count— Sage, peacemaker, Man of the earth, Man of the people, Who rolled up his sleeves To work. A little later, just a little later, You will learn more about the man who Showed the world how to live: Use knowledge. Have compassion. Give. Be present. Be fair. Have courage. Care. And with a photo we will begin: There you are. You’re with him.
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After retiring and moving to Huntsville, Jane Patten decided to write about her adventures, including growing up in Delaware and her career as a teacher in rural Georgia. Her writings have been published in Out Loud HSV: A Year in Review anthologies, The New Verse News, and Reckon.