Mom's Anniversary

I replaced the curtains today.

The ones you gave me

after you got new hand me downs

From Uncle Joe.

They were a golden pleated texture

So basic they never went out of style.

You got them from Auntie Bea

Who knew good quality,

And you nearly had to remake them

To fit your living room,

Using your trusty sewing machine.

But the seams were fraying

And they couldn't take another washing.

Though you cared for them carefully

Always making things last,

Like the ugly blue carpeting.

It was time for them to come down.

I put up cheap curtains from Tuesday Morning.

They're the same color

And no one will notice

But it's not quite the same.

Your drapes had history

A bit of you woven through the golden strands.

It's been 5 years since you died

But it was still hard to take down those curtains.