Mending

life is the disappearing edge

of a well-worn blanket     fraying     threadbare --

easy to ignore, until the unraveling is beyond repair

 

            sometimes marrow just needs mending:

            a needle and thread and a dimpled thimble

            (if you want to save your thumbs)

 

I am no seamstress, but I can sort thread into saturations

and whipstitch a barrier against the decaying effects of time,

but it takes a master to baste the patterns of memory

 

            because perception muddies the waters,

            makes it difficult to distinguish between

            the fins of fish and the flash of crocodile teeth

 

            for now I am content with a hard line --

everything above is the mystery of tomorrow,

and below is the fading fringe of yesterday

Reviews

[MsJewel]

There is such a positive message in your beautiful words. This is uplifting and inspirational and as always, the images you present and the metaphors used are outstanding.
:) Julie

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Julie...your words truly mean a lot to me. I'm grateful that you read and review my work.

[Blank]

This is beautiful and incredibly eloquent. The imagery is vivid especially in so few words, and the vocabulary you've chosen effectively draws the reader into the metaphor, almost like a fable. You have a strong voice, it's capturing and ignites the imagination.

Perception is such an amazing thing, and it's true memories are often filtered through a mesh of perception that is flawed with "the decaying effects of time". But most of all I enjoy the conclusion, the steadfast decision to focus on the now rather than the future or the past, because there's nothing we can do that isn't now.

Beautiful poem, thank you for sharing.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You humble me...truly. Thank you so very much!

[asdarkeyesclose]

'makes it difficult to distinguish between
the fins of fish and the flash of crocodile teeth'

such a strong, engaging image. I liked the effect of poetry within poetry, there really are layers to your work and it gives it added depth. I liked the sense here of something old and threadbare like a well loved teddy bear that just needs a little love to put him straight. if we don't value what we have we will be left in a state of constantly wanting and never appreciating what is good in our lives. mending is good and healthy, far better than just throwing things away. fantastic.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend :)

[kublakhan27]

I can't help but think of the cartoon Linus and his unwavering devotion to his blanket...the strongest of thimbles cannot save my calloused thumbs from the endless punctures I'm compelled to tend to on my own withered blanket of life...it's tattered and frayed but it's all I have to protect me from the cold...wonderful piece my friend.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Could not have said it better, my friend...my own blanket is probably much like yours.

[kublakhan27]

It would not surprise me my friend...

[lee von cleef]

whipstitch, now there is a word. I had not heard or thought of in some time and like a first kiss it is fresh on my thoughts. Teeth they seem to bend the air ,kind of hang over the edge so to speak. you had my eyes wide at Crocodile ! the teeth I think can be pulled , but you'll have to do it I am only OKed to work on Alligators, as in alligator pears, (Avocados)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Lee :)

[KeelyJane]

I feel like I always say the same thing when I review your work. My after thoughts are always the same which tells me you're consistent when it comes to great writing. Lovely words as always, Girl.
Its a pleasure reading.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I'm humbled, thank you!

[Tom]

A beautiful tapestry, maybe a few threads have come undone,..but hey what the heck?? These can easily be repaired!!

Inspirational and very creative, this is poetry at its very best! My favourite to date of your many superlative writings!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Tom!

[KAin]

Your mastery of the metaphor never ceases to amaze and inspire.
Your final lines resonate particularly powerful, though it's strange. One sometimes comes to the conclusion that there can be no tomorrows without your obligations to today, and that those todays would not exist without the precedents of our yesterdays.

Living in the moment's harder than it seems!
Whether we want to or not, we cannot help but be caught up in the flow of time.
Brilliant work, as always.
You haven't missed a step :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so very much, my friend, and it is great to see you back here!

[aria]

Maybe you are not a seamstress but you are a weaver of imagery! Nicely done!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Aria!