swathed in colors
draped in fabric
labyrinths of stitches
endless bits of cloth
love in every pinprick
and aching muscle
.
colors dim
fabric frays
stitches stray
fragments fumble
pins scatter
muscles rebel
.
furl the colors
fold the fabric
tie off the threads
gather the remnants
tuck the pins
slacken the muscles
.
colors at half-mast
fabric a shroud
thread is snapped
scraps are torn
love is empty
body at rest
.
glimpse the colors
fondle the fabric
wind up the thread
shake out the quilt
wrap up in love
and
remember
.
In Memory of Ellen Marston (1916-2011), neighbor, fellow quilter, and friend .