I remember how you used to care for the flowers and arrange the vegetables at the stand. How carefully you drove the tractor.
I remember you coming out of a cornfield at dawn, soaked with the dew, laboring under your basket.
All the tiny things you looked after -- kittens and toads.
And the strange foods you gave us!
O Gretchen, wherever you are, I hope you've found peace.
How did you live in that harsh world? Where did you hide your fragile spirit?
O Gretchen, wherever you are, I hope you've found love.
Hear Lucius/Jerry read the poem: humanist-art.org/old-site/audio/SoF_013_gretchen.MP3 . This poem is part of the Scraps of Faith collection of poems ( https://humanist-art.org/scrapsoffaith.htm )