On Silver Hill
In loving memory of Frances Ward (1923-2008)
By: Judy Carr Johnson - 05/18/2009
On Silver Hill
The sugar house is quiet
No wood and maple-scented smoke
No buckets or barrels collect the sap
Tubing droops between the trees.
Crocuses push up through snow
Daffodils and day lilies sprout
Mud clings to our feet and wheels
Winter hides in the woods.
The windows of the house are dark
We shrug off gloom as we go by
Who will hear our stories now
How will we get along?
It's a tribute when a neighbor says
"What will we do without her?"
She knew where the wild berries grew
She kept our secrets and our keys.
On Silver Hill we walk the roads
Remembering our lovely friend
Weren't we lucky to have her here
to watch over us--and still she does.
Silver Hill, Bradford, New Hampshire - April 2009
In loving memory of Frances Ward (1923-2008), much missed by her family, friends, and her neighbors on Silver Hill.