Sewing on the Porch
The sunlight is bright
I can see to thread the needle
Always moving buttons over
to make something fit
Always taking in the excess
and shortening the length
stitching childhood together
with famous last words
I don’t make something new
but make do with what is
I sew backwards to go forward
and feel every prick
Now I have more alterations
than time left to wear them
than places to go
to be seen
__Colleen Redman / Poets United / Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads
November 19th, 2017 9:28 am
In the background of the sunlight so many things can be done from stitching buttons to childhood memories….Love the ending.
November 19th, 2017 9:33 am
Sewing backwards is an art that few can master. Poets can, of course!
November 19th, 2017 10:14 am
I like the thrifty sewing and had to smile at the closing lines. Me, too.
November 19th, 2017 10:57 am
I really love how life is like sewing…
‘I don’t make something new
but make do with what is
I sew backwards to go forward
and feel every prick’
Your poem is so insightful!
November 19th, 2017 1:32 pm
I think we all need the little alterations… but maybe not a full wardrobe of changes…. love this more as metaphor than for real.
November 19th, 2017 2:17 pm
I love this, such a powerful write.
November 19th, 2017 2:21 pm
This seems the song of an aging seamstress … yet a metaphor for life as well!
November 19th, 2017 5:19 pm
Sometimes it seems the joy and the reward is in the sewing itself rather than the wearing. The joy is in the accomplishing rather than the accomplishment! Smiles.
November 19th, 2017 7:51 pm
Life is a rich tapestry and the stitches are important!
Anna :o]
November 19th, 2017 8:17 pm
hah- and I just take bits and pieces and make baby quilts! Have a great evening!
November 19th, 2017 8:19 pm
I love this extended metaphor – capped off with a clever close. An awesome little piece.
November 19th, 2017 8:58 pm
WOW! Precisely the journey we are on and the stations we find ourselves in where the train runs only on leap year : )
Not to take away the seriousness or the depth of this incredible piece.
ZQ
November 19th, 2017 10:08 pm
“stitching childhood together
with last words”
Such an image! I, too, have more clothes than places to go–and more memories than I need to make it easy to stay home.
November 20th, 2017 6:16 am
‘and shortening the length
stitching childhood together
with last words’
This is beautifully eloquent!
November 21st, 2017 2:32 pm
Such eloquence for an act so simple. Rather meaningful too.
November 22nd, 2017 7:28 pm
Yes, I stitch those alterations. I have more sewing than time it seems. Wonderful way to look at how we work through change.