[Critique Group 1] Leonard's comments on sally's work

[tuchyner5 at aol.com]

                               WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ELIZA



 



 



What I knowabout Eliza



Wouldscarcely fill a page,




 



 


You seem toknow a great deal about Eliza, 



but youknow more about the essentials  than thefacts. 




 


Yet, downthe centuries between us,



I carry heressence within me.




 


You knowabout yourself, 



and thusyou know about Eliza. 



She taughtabout wisdom and how to succeed in life. 



What wasimportant to succeed in.




 


 



Beyond DNA,my great-grandmother and I



Sharetraits this Yorkshire farmwife



Passed onto me through the bloodline



Of strong,resilient women



Who metadversity with courage and humor.




 


Meetingadversity with courage and humor is 



certainlyone of the traits she taught you by example and inborn traits.




 


 



A smallwoman who could neither read nor write,.



Eliza knewthe sums necessary



To sellHome-made toffee and peppermints



>From afront room sweets shop



And managethe farm’s accounts.



 



She  managed the farm and business without knowinghow to read or write. 



That isquite an accomplishment.




 



 


With herquiet husband Thomas, she raised ten children,



Tended tosheep and chickens, and played matchmaker



Forunsuspecting village rectors and curates.




 


What is acurate?




 


 



Takinglife’s pleasures and uncertainties in stride,



She, like awoman of her time and all times,



Took whatwas on offer and made the best of it,



Passing joyand wisdom through generations



To thisAmerican woman dabbling in memories.



 



Herexamples and teachings go beyond culture. 



They areuniversal. 



Wellwritten. 



Simply toldand understood.  




 


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