Resident poet and SASC board member inspired by mom’s conversations with flowers

by Eugene S. Macario

My mother, each spring, would take us kids to the local nurseries to select the perfect flowers to go into the yard. Her favorite—pansies.  I recall her speaking to each one as she planted them.

“Mother, why do you speak to them? They can’t hear you,” I would ask.

“Oh, but they can!” she would say.

Long ago, I dedicated the following poem to my Mother, for helping me see the world as she did.

My Mother’s Little People

Solemn faced flowers

Wrinkled with wisdom

Content as they gaze

Aglow with sun.

Nodding yes-no

To the wind secrets;

All in agreement.

They speak not a word of it;

Their faces reveal none of it;

Yet, you know they know.

Inspired by my creative writing professor and mentor Jean Pataky, I submitted this poem and another entry into a poetic selection pool. Although the poem written for my mother was not selected for publication, my other poem was.

The poems were gathered in the bicentennial year of 1976 and were compiled into a collection of commemorative poetry titled “Poems for the Bicentennial, Michigan, 1976.” The collection reflects the images and genuine expression of the experiences, historical events and themes unique to the history of our country.

Grants from the Michigan American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and the Bicentennial Committee of Delta College enabled the free publication and distribution to public libraries, college and university libraries, and officially designated bicentennial museums throughout the state of Michigan.

Laborers, housewives, students, retirees, secretaries, and professionals were asked to contribute to a lasting reminder of Michigan’s contribution to the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

At least a couple of decades ago—well after that poetry collection was published—my wife and I came to the Stockbridge Area. We joined the SASC—Stockbridge Area Senior Center—about a year ago. At SASC, we’ve met Spartans, Buckeyes and fellow Wolverines, “college boys” and “college girls” as referred to by the past high school class. Veterans of the Army, Navy, and Air Force can be found here, and I think there’s even a Marine or two. All as diverse and unique as an individual can get.

Yet, even with the usual BINGO badgering; Monty Python elbow nudging wink, wink; and chicken vs. rooster dancing going on, a true community sense of family can be found. Hoping you’ll join in as a brother, sister, or patron of this community family. Open, loving hands welcome you as you step through the Center’s doorway.

Now I can add my SASC family to the dedication of my 1976 poem, “My Mother’s Little People,” as, “wrinkled with wisdom,”  they bring a renewed life to its unique poetic inner meaning.

Eugene S. Macario is on the board of the Stockbridge Area Senior Center (SASC), a great place to spend time. Visit stockbridgeareaseniors.org or call 517-480-0353 for information.

Talent abounds with our area seniors. Here, SASC board member and poet Eugene Macario displays samples of his woodworking skills and poetry. Photo provided by Dana Blaszkowski