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We had another community member who was inspired by Sam Parrish's 1899 poetry contest, "What is Charm," which prompted her to write a poem of her own exploring this same topic. Faith is 16 years old and is a Junior in High School. We met earlier this year and she expressed great interest in getting involved with the Museum with this being her first contribution. About this project she said, "I love history and writing poetry. The opportunity to combine two of my greatest interests for this project was an engaging and inspiring opportunity that helped me look at our town with new eyes as I gathered my memories of years gone by and truly thought about what made Southampton special to me." Please enjoy!
What is Charm
Is it an ideal or thing
Is it a way of being
Or something that is subjective to the whims of every living thing
I find charm in walking with my mom and discovering little things that to our town belong
Driving looking out the window a passenger can notice many things
The angels on the fences at the old Parish Art Hall
Those little corners like the old fence where tenacious ivy crawls
Discovering new places like the Main Street path with its secret gardenesque countenance that leads to our Southampton History Museum
And just across the street I think one would be lucky to meet the last rays of days light as it gleams through stained glass on the church settled centuries before
Laughing with friends and family at community events
People of all generations coming together in joy
Be it a little league game or our classic Fourth of July parade with its classic cars and children running along
What is Charm but community coming together celebrating our history and what came before
As maybe a romanticist of yore
Though also there is more
Charm can be found in the here and now
Finding small things each day
That put a smile on your face
Neighbors being there for one another
Small acts of kindness each day
Children running around delighted to play
This is where I see charm
In all its subjectivity
Charm can be found in many things
Silver linings day by day
