On cold winter nights in Appalachia
the featherbed helped keep me warm
covered in quilts handmade by Gran
her work of art in true mountain form.

When warmth from the fire had gone
and the cookstove cinders burned out
cold from outside entered the house
as the wintertime wind moved about.

Because of Gran’s handcrafted quilts
and the softness of a goose feather bed
on winter nights I’d always stay warm
with love in each patch by hand and thread.