Depression Glass

Colored glassware tumbles out of boxes,
Seemingly plentiful patterns, dancing everywhere.
Shoppers' gifts promote the local stores
A rainbow in the darkest days.

Can happiness be found
Through a rose colored glass?
Is suffering so easily forgotten
In simple kitchenware?

Stocks dropped, Investors fell
Both hit the bottom hard.
Run on the banks locked up the doors
Savings withered like never before.

Dinnerware turns up in bulk,

Replacing artisans crafting with a machine.

Lopsided vases cherished as 

A treasure for wildflowers.

Hearts broke, grown men cried
Hungry folks gather in lines
For a warm cup of soup
Unable to brighten burdened souls.

Packed in flour sacks, common in homes.
Filling up recently barren kitchen shelves.
Roughness in rims began to appear
Used and stacked over the years.

Soil tilted by calloused hands
Seeds of hope planted in everyone's land.
Lessons learned about trusting in coins.
God remains unchanged, but they wanted more.

Rare depression pieces regain their charm,
As we try to find our past, our way back home
We keep collecting things made long ago
But we miss the message of "Jesus alone".


Original poem written by Lindy Abbott 2012