Trisha Nelson: Transformation

Trisha Nelson is a native of the Illinois-Iowa Quad Cities. Dr. Nelson is a pain modalities specialist at Rheumatology Care. During her free time, she enjoys serving on MWC's Board, and is an active member at First Presbyterian Church, Davenport.

I lost the poem's original format when I posted it on the journal. In the four line stanzas, the original format has the second and fourth lines indented. Please imagine those spaces are there. The weaving lines add an energy that parallels the speaker's efforts to find transformation in the town.

Transformation

I returned to a place I once called home,
after many years away.
What I found, I did not foresee
there were not changes to be.

Does time stand still in this rural town?
I witnessed evidence that time passes.
The sunrise, the sunsets
the stars in their proper arrangements.

Yet, where is the change?

The band shell still stands with lighted pride
in the middle of the park,
with sounds from the band
still playing their familiar march.

Change is not there.

The clarinetist wife, with her large brimmed hat
still knits throughout the songs.
The town’s reporter scribbling notes, snapping pictures
as she walks along.

Change is not there

Ah, the familiar scent of pork chops sizzling on the grill.
The aroma fills the air.
The ladies from the Lutheran church baked rows of pies to share.
Which one I take, I do not care.

I am glad change was not found there.
But, I know change is somewhere.

The children are still climbing on the monkey bars
and swinging on the swings.
Push me higher, Push me higher,
with their laughing pleads.

There is a few inches of change there.
Where is the transformation and change, I came to find?

As the last pork chop and pie were consumed,
while the band played the last tune.
I discovered in the sunset where change was key.
It was all along within me.