Patchwork

                                       Reaching into the fabric of being,
                                       searching to unwind what the needles bind.
                                       Patching the loose treads entwined and freeing
                                       the stitches of crime sewn on the mind-

                                       The quilt, a patchwork of a troubled life,
                                       tells of difficulties to overcome.
                                       Trying to cut out the grief with a knife,
                                       reattached to the quilt making you numb.

                                       A thread attached to life’s spinning wheel,
                                       round and round onto the spool holding you.
                                       Dizzy and confused about how you feel,
                                       needles pricking leaving you black and blue.

                                       Into the washer, bleach and scolding hot,
                                       trying to shrink and erase all the pain.
                                       But the agitator has not forgot
                                       the inflecting of every evil stain.

                                       Placed in the dryer on delicate knit,
                                       spinning in warm air trying to forget-
                                       Taken out for the bed with a split wit,
                                       or thrown into a chest alone to fret.

                                       Grab all of your needles and bring your thread,
                                       come and join us in the circle of mends.
                                       Sewing our patchwork into one big spread,
                                       overcome the pain with the help of friends.

James L Finley
June 5,2008