Patchwork

pushing
through layers
of denim and wool
the needle rocks

when he died,
i took all his trousers
and made a quilt
his jeans
his coveralls
his uniforms
and a pair
of green and purple bermuda shorts
he bought
because i said he should

from the closet
the dresser
boxes in the attic
and the trunk of his car

i collected them all,
and cut from them
perfect
8 inch squares

piecing
his memory,
frayed edges
tucked from view.

the needle rocks
surfacing
submerging
dragging bloody thread
through shredded wooly batting


© 2003 catnapping