Stitches

For the Lotus-Eaters CHallenge.

Because you never sleep when I’m gone

I decided to make you a quilt—

to fill the void where I should be

 

I chose sunshine for windowpane blocks

but couldn’t get the squares cut out just right

Stray beams spilled over with every snip

 

Sashings should be complimentary

I chose laughter

It’s a little loud for your taste

but should sing a sweet lullaby

 

Reluctant to choose a contrast

I selected just a little of sadness and grief

It takes very little of the dark

to balance out the whole

 

I started a border of memories

but didn’t have enough stored up

to go all the way around

 

I suppose that my gift to you

will remain a work in progress.

 

Reviews

[TL Boehm]

I think my favorite lines are:
I chose sunshine for windowpane blocks

but couldn't get the squares cut out just right.

Stray beams spilled over with every snip.

but the whole poem is finely woven....each word lovingly stitched until the whole piece warms the soul.
GOD what a GOOD POEM! (sorry - I couldn't help myself) No wonder you're on poetrydances.com for May. I've been meaning to congratulate you for DAYS.

A year here. I'm takin' credit for that - you know that, right?
You're one of the reasons I haven't crawled out of the cafe into the cyber sewer like the ground dwelling cockroach I am....

[Nicholas Hallows]

I chose sunshine for windowpane blocks
but couldn't get the squares cut out just right.
Stray beams spilled over with every snip.

I loved this! The language is as soft as the quilt being described.

It creates mixed emotions; the devotion of making this gift and a certain sadness: not having enough memories stored. I guess all the different emotions of a person; a person so unique they cannot be recreated in a quilt.

This is seriously good!

NH

[Raef C. Boylan]

I enjoyed how warm and well-intentioned the sentiment of this piece is, shown through your narrative voice and actions. To replace a person...tricky business.
When things are temporary, they're nearly always bearable though.

"I wished to make a border of memory
but found I didn't have enough stored
to wrap all the way around."
The whole piece is excellent, but the above stanza caused me to reflect upon the human essence. We don't just snuggle into someone to not be alone, for their body warmth...it's who they are and stand for in our minds that comforts us in the dark of night.

And...I managed not to cry writing that, despite this being week 7 of sleeping alone most nights. Yay.

Overall, a really pleasant and well-crafted poem, Emily.
Thanks for sharing it.

[Rod Zinkel]

I would say it represents you, of what I know, quite well.

[Rachael]

this is gorgeous. is it a gift from a mother to a daughter? cos thats kind of how i read it, and it made me smile to think about it.

[Thomas James Martin]

Works so well!
Tom

[AK]

I really like this.
There's no need to pick it apart and highlight just one line or thought... the whole thing really works together for me. It is more than the sum of it's parts (oh my, I've always wanted to say that).