Up in mom’s attic I found 
our childhood clothing
Patched and holey from mousebites 
worn thin in places
telling the story of how we survived
on the farm

(2 boys, 2 girls,
weeding the garden
picking the cherries
strawberries so 
mom could can jam.
Raised on pond fish
and wild game 
results of dad’s hunts.)

Textiles too precious 
to let slip
Baby Renee’s faded floral dress,
little Ryan’s tattered red bomber
and Geranimals striped velour shirt.
Ralph’s ragged jeans

The gem of the salvage

2 one piece jumpers
size 3
And later discovering photos
there clothed with the very same sweet poly garb
stands a grinning toddler me.